Must read: Narco-terrorism : a serious threat across the country
What is Narco-terrorism?
Narcoterrorism is a multifaceted phenomenon that combines drug trafficking and terrorism. It creates a symbiotic relationship between criminal activities and extremist ideologies propagated by armed non-state entities.
It involves the use of proceeds from drug trade to fund and support acts of terrorism, thereby exploiting vulnerable sections of the society and even damaging the organs of the legal state structure thus undermining legal institutions.
What is the driving force or chief motive of Narco-terrorism?
Narcoterrorism is motivated mainly by economic reasons as it helps the terrorist organizations raise huge sums of money with minimum cost for their activities.
The political, ideological, religious and the ethno-nationalist motives generally associated with terrorism are secondary to the economic gains associated with it.
Who first used the term “narco-terrorism”?
The term “narco-terrorism” was first used in 1983 by the former President of Peru, Belaunde Terry to describe campaigns by drug traffickers using terrorist methods such as the use of car bombs, assassinations and kidnapping against the anti-narcotics police in Coloumbia and Peru.
Though initially used in the context of drug trafficking related terrorism in South America, the term has come to be associated with terrorist groups and activities around the world and more so in the Central and South-East Asia.
Symbiotic relationship between terrorist organizations and drug traffickers
Links between terrorist organizations and drug traffickers take many forms, ranging from facilitation ‐ protection, transportation, and taxation ‐ to direct trafficking by the terrorist organization itself in order to finance its activities. Traffickers and terrorists have similar logistical needs in terms of materiel and the covert movement of goods, people and money.
From the relationships between drug traffickers and terrorists benefit both. Drug traffickers benefit from the terroristsʹ military skills, weapons supply, and access to clandestine organizations. Terrorists gain a source of revenue and expertise in illicit transfer and laundering of proceeds from illicit transactions.
Both groups bring corrupt officials whose services provide mutual benefits, such as greater access to fraudulent documents, including passports and customs papers. Drug traffickers may also gain considerable freedom of movement when they operate in conjunction with terrorists who control large amounts of territory.
What are the similarities between terrorist organizations and drug traffickers?
Terrorists and drug traffickers use similar means to conceal profits and fund‐raising. They use informal transfer systems such as ʺhawala,ʺ and also rely on bulk cash smuggling, multiple accounts, and front organizations to launder money.
Both groups make use of fraudulent documents, including passports and other identification and customs documents to smuggle goods and weapons. They both fully exploit their networks of trusted couriers and contacts to conduct business. In addition, they use multiple cell phones and are careful about what they say on the phone to increase communications security.
Why terrorist groups have looked increasingly at drug trafficking?
In the past, state sponsors provided funding for terrorists, and their relationships with terrorist organizations were used to secure territory or provide access to gray arms networks. Lately, however, as state sponsorship of terrorism has come under increased scrutiny and greater international condemnation, terrorist groups have looked increasingly at drug trafficking as a source of revenue.
But trafficking often has a two‐fold purpose for the terrorists. Not only does it provide funds, it also furthers the strategic objectives of the terrorists. Some terrorist groups believe that they can weaken their enemies by flooding their societies with addictive drugs.
Growing pressure on state sponsors of terrorism has increased the likelihood that terrorists will become involved in the drug trade. Interdiction of terrorist finances and shutdowns of ʺcharitableʺ and other non‐governmental front organizations have also contributed to their convergence. Terrorist groups are increasingly able to justify their involvement in illicit activity to their membership and have largely abandoned the belief that it can damage the moral basis for their cause.
Must read: Narco-terrorism : a serious threat across the country
