Drone-Assisted Cross-Border Drug Smuggling Surges Since 2021, Punjab Worst Affected: Government Data

The Union Home Ministry informed Parliament on Wednesday that drone-assisted cross-border drug trafficking has increased significantly since 2021, with Punjab bearing the brunt of the surge.

In a written reply to a question in the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai stated that out of 305 drone-related drug trafficking incidents reported across the country last year, 298 occurred in Punjab. The state accounted for nearly 98% of such cases nationwide.

The government data revealed that actions against drone-assisted trafficking led to the seizure of about 460 kg of narcotic drugs, including 448 kg of heroin, 9 kg of methamphetamine, and 3 kg of opium.

Minister Rai outlined the evolving tactics of drug syndicates operating from across the border. “Trends of cross border narcotics infiltration reveal that drug trafficking syndicates operating across the border have increasingly been employing sophisticated methods such as drones, GPS-enabled consignments, encrypted communications and local receiver networks to infiltrate heroin, methamphetamine, arms and ammunition into India,” he said.

The rise in drone-based smuggling since 2021 highlights the growing challenge for security forces along the India-Pakistan border. The use of unmanned aerial vehicles allows traffickers to bypass physical barriers and deliver narcotics and weapons with greater precision and reduced risk of interception.

Punjab, sharing a long and porous border with Pakistan, has long been a focal point of cross-border smuggling. The state's proximity to the border, combined with a sprawling network of canals and agricultural land, provides cover for such illegal operations. Local receiver networks, often comprising individuals on the ground, further facilitate the retrieval of dropped consignments.

The government's response came amid ongoing concerns about drug abuse in Punjab and the region's vulnerability to external narcotics trafficking. Security agencies have been working to counter these threats through enhanced surveillance, deployment of anti-drone systems, and coordinated operations with state police.