Investigations into narcotics cases in India, particularly in South India, are revealing connections to cartels operating from Thailand. These cartels, despite Thailand being a significant consumer market, have expanded their presence in India, especially in the southern region over the past few years. It has been noted that these Thai cartels, although not always managed by locals, are being directly overseen by Indians in several instances.
Authorities have uncovered that the Thai cartels wield substantial influence in various parts of India, with a noticeable rise in their activities in South India recently. The Central Crime Branch’s Narcotics Control Wing, under Bengaluru Police, dismantled a module by apprehending two interstate drug traffickers named Ashwin and Mubeena. The duo, hailing from Kerala but residing in Karnataka, was caught distributing LSD strips and charas as per police reports.
The arrested individuals, Ashwin and Mubeena, were reportedly executing illegal drug distribution networks in Karnataka under the directives of their superiors based in Thailand. They were in contact with a Kerala-based operative in Thailand for sourcing drugs, which they then distributed across the state. Notably, the drug issue, once prevalent in Punjab, has witnessed a surge in Kerala, with over 27,700 cases registered in 2024 under the NDPS Act, surpassing Punjab’s figures during the same period.
Drug trafficking operations in India showcase a regional focus, with Pakistan-based groups targeting northern states, while cartels from Mexico, China, and Thailand are more active in the southern regions. States like Tamil Nadu and Kerala have emerged as key hubs for drug smuggling from countries like Thailand, Mexico, and China. The demand for methamphetamine, smuggled in from Mexico with the aid of Chinese cartels and Myanmar nationals, is notably high in South Indian states.
