Operation Broader Sword: Indo-US joint initiative to stop illegal shipments

Tags: International News

In June 2023, India and the United States jointly launched 'Operation Broader Sword' with the goal of stopping the illegal transportation of pharmaceuticals, equipment and precursor chemicals through the International Mail System (IMS).

An Overview of the News

• The operation was aimed at disrupting the flow of illegal substances entering the United States from India.

• The operation primarily focused on packages entering the United States from India through the two major International Mail Facilities (IMF) located at New York (JFK International Airport) and Chicago (ORD International Airport).

• During the operation, investigators thoroughly examined more than 1,500 shipments originating from India, and took conclusive action on nearly 500 products. These operations primarily targeted illegal drugs intended to treat serious illnesses.

• Many of the shipments were found to contain opioids and other controlled substances, highlighting the importance of the operation in combating illegal drug trafficking.

Collaborative Effort:

• Operation Broader Sword involved collaboration of multiple agencies from both countries. These include India's Department of Revenue Retail Investigation (DRI) and the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS).