A party onboard a cruise ship off Mumbai and on its way to Goa was abruptly told to turn to the bay as sleuths of the Narcotics Control Bureau swooped down in a planned raid and seized a variety of drugs. Among the eight passengers detained were Bollywood superstar Shahrukh Khan’s son 23-year-old Aryan Khan.
The raiding team seized 13 grams of cocaine, 21 grams of charas, 22 pills of MDMA and 5 grams of MD. On paper, this appears to be a small haul, especially measuring it against the massive drug seizures frequently happening across India. What is intriguing is the spotlight on Aryan for the sheer fact that he is a son of a celebrity. Remember, there were no drugs found on him, and charges against him are yet to be proved in court.
It is baffling to understand that this incident is making national headlines while bigger hauls have met with muted responses. Lest we forget, in September, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence declared a seizure of 2,988 kgs of heroin packed in two containers at Mundra port. The estimated cost of the contraband was put at nearly Rs 21,000 crore. This is big and should concern every citizen of the country.
According to data, between January and July 2021, enforcement agencies have massive quantities of drugs including 3,000 kg of heroin, 3.35 lakh kg of ganja 4.30 lakh kg of poppy straw, besides others. These seizures also included cocaine, hashish, opium, ketamine and other pharma drugs. Last February, over 5 kgs of Ephedrine valued at Rs 5 crore were being smuggled by a Madurai-based exporter in 43 wedding invitation cards.
These are worrisome trends that society has to ponder. The raid on the cruise ship and Shahrukh’s son’s involvement has been an unnecessary focus because on the flip side, it is business as usual for drug lords and big sharks. If India and its citizens have to worry, it is for these big drug cartels that operate and manage huge consignments. If there is any concern, it has to be over the distribution network and suppliers that continue to flourish.
Every drug raid and seizure counts, but such stray incidents cannot overshadow the bigger evil. The enforcement authorities cannot find in this comfort here when a more serious objective on narcotics is going unfulfilled. The heroics on board the ship pale out to the consistent drug-related crimes that are going undetected across India. It would benefit little if end consumers and the small-time users are arrested while there is a steady supply flowing via narcotic corridors like Punjab, Mizoram, Manipur and Nagaland, besides the sea link to some States.
Ironically, the cruise liner has distanced itself from the party and the CEO said they are in no way, directly or indirectly, connected to this incident. The question here is also about responsibility, which the company has to own up. The management must have its checks and verification protocol in place to ensure that the vessel is not used for any illegal activities.
Cruise liners are often contracted for events, parties, weddings, business promotions and corporate functions. There is a link to business, hospitality and entertainment. The cruise liner cannot afford to lower its guard, no matter how high-profile the event or personality is. In this raid, the failure of the cruise liner is as clear as daylight.
