Operation Garuda: India's Unified Shield Against International Drug Networks - IMPRI Impact And Policy Research Institute

Policy Update
Kavin Adithya CB

Introduction

illicit drug industry has emerged to become one of the biggest threats of transnational security of the twenty-first century. What began as a mere law and order issue has now become synonymous with terrorism, organized crime, money laundering and cyber crimes. Drug traffickers today use encrypted communication channels, cryptocurrencies, dark web, drones and advanced logistics to transport narcotics across borders without being detected. Such advancements have rendered conventional policing strategies ineffective.

India occupies a strategically important position between two major narcotics-producing regions of the world. To its west lies the Golden Crescent, comprising Afghanistan, Iran, and Pakistan, while to its east lies the Golden Triangle, consisting of Myanmar, Thailand, and Laos. This geographical location makes India vulnerable to cross-border drug trafficking, organized crime, and the financing of terrorism. At the same time, India’s position enhances its strategic importance in maintaining border security, regional stability, and cooperation against transnational crimes.

Together, these two areas contribute significantly to production of narcotics illegally. Thus, India is exposed to constant threats through trafficking networks operating in its borderlands, coastlines, ports and emerging trade routes. The location of India thus renders the country a destination as well as transit route of international drug cartels.

Operation Garuda, carried out by Central Bureau of Investigation along with Narcotics Control Bureau and INTERPOL since September 2022, marks the recognition of the changing dynamics of the menace. Unlike earlier operations that only involved seizure of drugs, this operation involves dismantling of criminal networks by going after manufacturers, financiers, traffickers and international handlers of drugs. It is supported by the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act of 1985.

Functioning / Working of Operation Garuda

Operation Garuda works on the basis of a well-coordinated multi-agency approach, which emphasizes intelligence sharing and joint operations involving national and international agencies. CBI is the nodal agency of India for INTERPOL; this enables sharing of real-time intelligence about international traffickers, suspicious shipping movements, and international drug trafficking routes.

In the case of internal agencies, Operation Garuda works by collaborating between different national-level agencies such as NCB, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Enforcement Directorate (ED), Customs, Border Security Force (BSF), Indian Coast Guard, and State Police departments. These agencies work in collaboration with each other through the Narco Coordination Centre (NCORD).

Disruption of financial infrastructure of the drug cartels forms a significant part of Operation Garuda. The PMLA is used by investigators to track down any financial transactions that have been conducted by criminal organizations; this is followed by freezing their suspicious bank accounts, recovering any illegally acquired assets from them, and shutting down any shell companies formed by them.

In order to disrupt any activities related to illegal financing using digital technology, enforcement agencies make extensive use of cyber forensics, blockchain analysis, and AI tools to trace out any transactions made on darknet markets and cryptocurrency transactions.

Performance:

Since its inception, Operation Garuda has been successful in bringing about tangible improvements in the country’s anti-organized drug trafficking efforts. Between 2022 and 2026, Indian authorities identified nearly 6,600 drug-related suspects. During this period, 127 major cases were registered under the NDPS Act, and around 175 members of international drug trafficking networks were arrested. These actions reflect the government’s efforts to curb drug trafficking and strengthen national security.

As a result of this operation, many different kinds of narcotic drugs have been seized by law enforcement authorities. Apart from heroin, opium, and cannabis, synthetic and pharmaceutical drugs, including tramadol and alprazolam, have also been seized due to a change in the pattern of drug trafficking.

Operation Garuda has helped in encouraging state-level efforts to combat drug trafficking in India.

The EAGLE unit has been established in Andhra Pradesh for destroying illegal cannabis farms,

while the Drug-Free Navi Mumbai campaign has been able to dismantle interstate trafficking gangs based on intelligence received after national-level coordination.

The vision of the government regarding the long-term control of narcotics is embodied in the Vision Document on Drug Control (2026-2029), which follows a strategy of “Detect, Disrupt, and Destroy.”

Impacts

The Operation Garuda has produced many favourable results over just arrests and seizures, but it has helped establish an Indian anti-narcotics policy, aided in strengthening intelligence sharing and better co-ordination of efforts among differing enforcement agencies involved in combating illegal drugs, and has also helped reduce drug cartels as a result of tracing of illegal finance, and the confiscation of assets obtained through illegal drug trafficking; through cooperation with INTERPOL and other foreign security entities, India’s position has grown internationally regarding cross border law and order, and contributing nationally and internationally to Indian Ocean regional security. In terms of national security, Operation Garuda has broken down ties between drug trafficking and arms smuggling, and financing terrorism.

Emerging Issues:

Operation Garuda has many hurdles that it still has to overcome. A major hurdle for Garuda is that organized crime groups are continually finding new ways to elude law enforcement through innovative techniques and technologies.

For example, organized crime groups have started producing methamphetamines and other synthetic drugs in small-scale illegal laboratories using readily available precursor chemicals. This is a deviation from the traditional method of producing drugs in large-scale laboratories with many precursors.

The use of encrypted messaging applications, cryptocurrencies, and clandestine online networks makes it even more difficult for law enforcement to gather, store, and analyze the evidence and track money laundering while executing organized crime investigations.

In addition, law enforcement agencies have issues to deal with domestically as they do not have sufficient advanced forensic laboratories, sophisticated cyber investigation tools, or sufficiently trained personnel who can perform blockchain analysis and digital intelligence.

Extradition of drug traffickers across nations is slow due to differences in legal systems, which delays law enforcement from arresting those engaged in drug trafficking.

To make meaningful progress in addressing the drug trade, law enforcement agencies must work collaboratively to reduce the drug supply, but also there must be a concerted effort to combat the growing number of youth interested in using synthetically manufactured illicit drugs. More effective programs are necessary to provide drug abuse prevention, drug education and awareness, and drug recovery and rehabilitation.

Way forward:

Given that the area of narcotics control is a multi-faceted challenge with social as well as societal components, India must rely upon a combination of technological advances; institutional changes, and social interventions going forward in its future anti-narcotics strategies. Land and water border surveillance should be enhanced through the use of artificial intelligence (AI), satellite images, drones, and/or predictive analytics to allow for early identification of emerging trafficking routes before they become firmly established.

Additionally, Indian authorities must also enhance their efforts towards investigating financial crimes. This will require cooperation with the Enforcement Directorate, Financial Intelligence Unit, Reserve Bank of India, and commercial banks to cut off and dismantle financial criminal organizations that are using cryptocurrency and digital assets as vehicles for illicit money laundering.

Upgrading India’s current border security infrastructure by installing smart fences and advanced cargo scanners; utilizing biometrics; and employing state-of-the-art ground surveillance systems at ports, airports, and land borders, is critical to improving detection and apprehension efforts. There should also be on-going training programs for investigators, prosecutors, judges, and forensic professionals that include skills related to: cyber investigations, gathering digital forensic evidence, cryptocurrency analysis, and financial intelligence analysis.

One of the principal ongoing objectives of anti-drug strategy implementation in India is addressing the ongoing demand for narcotics through drug treatment facility expansion; strengthening community-based de-addiction programs and continuing to promote awareness of drug problems in schools, colleges and universities.

Operation Garuda represents a significant shift in India’s strategy to address and combat transnational drug trafficking by merging intelligence, technology, financial investigations, and global partnerships.

References:

Government / Law Enforcement Source

Central Bureau of Investigation. (2022, September 29). CBI launches a multi-phase global operation “Garuda” against illicit drug trafficking network [Press release]. Government of India. https://cbi.gov.in

Newspaper / Journalism Sources

The Hindu. (2022, September 29). CBI launches ‘Operation Garuda’; arrests 175 alleged drug smugglers. The Hindu. https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/cbi-launches-operation-garuda-arrests-175-alleged-drug-smugglers/article65950893.ece

The Times of India. (2024, May 29). IAF launches indigenous long-range suicide drone project: How prepared is India already? The Times of India. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/defence/news/iaf-launches-indigenous-long-range-suicide-drone-project-how-prepared-is-india-already/articleshow/131802551.cms

Other Secondary Sources:

India Strategic. (2024, June). IAF partners industry to develop indigenous long-range kamikaze drones. India Strategic. https://www.indiastrategic.in/iaf-partners-industry-to-develop-indigenous-long-range-kamikaze-drones/

Legacy IAS Academy. (2026, April 7). Drone technology – UPSC notes. Legacy IAS Academy. https://www.legacyias.com/drone-technology-upsc-notes

About the Contributor

Kavin Adithya CB is a Research and Editorial Intern at IMPRI, currently pursuing an M.A. in International Relations at Loyola College, Chennai. I have a strong Interest in International Political Economy, International Relations, Defence, Public policy, Geopolitics, and Human Rights Strong area of interest to explore and develop my skills.

Acknowledgement

The author sincerely thanks the reviewers and editorial team for their valuable comments, constructive suggestions, and guidance. Their feedback helped improve the clarity, structure, and analytical depth of this policy update.

Reviewers: Yashkirti Pal, Shruti Sethi

Disclaimer: All views expressed in the article belong solely to the author and not necessarily to the organisation.