Drug trafficking has close nexus with terrorism

KOCHI: Observing that drug trafficking has close nexus with terrorist activities, the Kerala High Court directed the state government to take tough steps to snap the chain of drug trafficking. Justice K T Sankaran, issued the directive while dismissing the bail application of Majeed of Mannarkad, third accused in a drug trafficking case. The High Court directed the government to take steps to bring home the involvement of the accused and to snap activities in drug trafficking.On perusing the case diary, the court pointed out that the investigating authority has apprehensions that the drug was imported to  India for securing the resources for terrorist activities. The matter is being looked into by the Special Branch and Intelligence Bureau to find out whether the accused has any overseas connection.    However, the case diary does not reveal any positive steps taken to collect the facts, the court said.“It is common knowledge that terrorist activities require finance. Where does the money come from? It is also of concern, if the money derived from drug trafficking is used as a source of finance for terrorist activities. Drug trafficking, counterfeiting of Indian currency and terrorist activities constitute a chain,” the court observed.It asked the state government to initiate  efforts to check drug trafficking and drug abuse to ensure the health and well-being of citizens and added that, if the source of drug trafficking is effectively disrupted, it would be a great service for the nation.The police had seized 900 grams of brown sugar from the accused. The prosecutor submitted that it is worth Rs. 50 lakh.The court said that drug trafficking would adversely affect the unity and integrity and financial stability of the nation, since it reportedly has close nexus with terrorists activities.