L-G flags rising narco-terror threat

New Delhi: Delhi Lieutenant Governor Tranjit Singh Sandhu on Friday highlighted the growing threat of narco-terrorism, calling for a coordinated, multi-dimensional response to tackle its expanding global footprint.

Addressing the International Conference on Countering Narco-Terrorism organised by Indic Researchers Forum, the LG described the global narcotics trade as one of the largest illicit economies, generating hundreds of billions of dollars annually and rivalling several formal sectors in scale.

He underlined that the impact of this trade extends well beyond economics. The financial flows linked to narcotics, he said, are closely intertwined with networks of money laundering,

organised crime and terror financing, posing serious challenges to governance and national security.

Highlighting the growing nexus between drugs and terrorism, Sandhu noted that trafficking has emerged as a steady funding source for non-state actors, complicating counter-terror efforts both in

India and globally.

Drawing attention to emerging domestic trends, he flagged increasing evidence of synthetic drug manufacturing, including methamphetamine and other amphetamine-type stimulants. Rising seizures across regions, he said, suggest a shift from India being a transit route to a potential production and

distribution hub.

The LG also raised concerns over substance abuse among youth and its broader social and economic impact, including pressure on public health systems and workforce productivity.