Chandigarh: The Centre has acknowledged that organised drug trafficking syndicates operating in Punjab were increasingly exploiting digital technologies, including encrypted messaging applications, cryptocurrency, Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) and social media platforms, to coordinate drug trafficking, conceal financial trails and evade law enforcement agencies.These revelations were made by the Union ministry of home affairs in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.Responding to a question by Rajya Sabha MP Tarun Chugh, minister of state for home affairs Nityanand Rai said investigations by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) revealed the growing use of digital platforms such as WhatsApp, Telegram, Snapchat, Zangi and other social media platforms by organised drug trafficking syndicates operating in Punjab and adjoining states to coordinate the procurement, transportation, concealment and distribution of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances.The Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF), Punjab, has also reported the use of cryptocurrency and virtual digital assets for transferring drug proceeds and concealing the financial trail.The Centre stated that privacy-oriented cryptocurrencies and foreign-based exchanges often made it difficult to identify the actual sender and receiver of funds. During investigations, relevant digital devices are seized and subjected to forensic examination, while the NCB follows a technology-driven investigation strategy, integrating digital forensics, financial investigation and conventional intelligence to identify and dismantle drug trafficking networks, the reply added.Detailing the measures being taken to identify and disrupt such trafficking networks, the ministry stated that the NCB extensively uses specialised intelligence and investigation platforms, including the National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID), Multi Agency Centre (MAC), Financial Intelligence Network Exchange (FINEX), Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) tools, National Integrated Database on Arrested Narco-Offenders (NIDAAN), Inter-Operable Criminal Justice System (ICJS), Chitarkhoj and the Punjab Artificial Intelligence System (PAIS). These are used alongside telecom and financial intelligence databases for link analysis, identification of criminal associates, and inter-state and inter-agency coordination.The ministry added that close coordination was maintained with cyber forensic laboratories, telecom service providers, financial institutions and other central and state law enforcement agencies, while assistance from technical agencies and service providers is sought whenever required.The govt also said investigations had uncovered the use of digital platforms in cross-border drug trafficking networks. According to the reply, traffickers use these platforms for communication and coordination, recruiting of carriers, sharing live locations, exchanging photographs and videos of consignments, coordinating deliveries and payments, and maintaining links between suppliers and receivers.Instances of the misuse of VPNs to conceal identities and facilitate trafficking activities have also come to light.The ministry said digital and technical analysis was undertaken to identify wider networks and inter-state and cross-border linkages wherever indicated. It further noted that incarcerated traffickers had been found using mobile phones to remotely coordinate drug trafficking activities through associates outside prisons.To strengthen cyber, forensic and technical capabilities, the govt said the NCB had engaged cyber experts to investigate darknet-enabled drug trafficking and cryptocurrency-based transactions.It has also conducted capacity-building programmes in collaboration with the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (US-DEA) and Rashtriya Raksha University, Gandhinagar, to strengthen capabilities in cyber-enabled narcotics investigations, digital forensics, darknet monitoring and cryptocurrency investigations, the ministry added.In addition, a task force on darknet and cryptocurrency has been set up under the MAC mechanism to facilitate intelligence sharing, monitor emerging trends and modus operandi, and strengthen coordinated action against technology-enabled drug trafficking, the reply stated.MSID:: 132557032 413 |
