Drone‑aided heroin smuggling spikes in Punjab border areas

Intelligence reports highlight a dramatic rise in drone‑based drug deliveries along Punjab's border with Pakistan. In 2025 alone, 305 drone incidents were recorded nationwide, with 298 occurring on the Punjab frontier.

These operations have yielded about 460 kilograms of contraband, including 448 kilograms of heroin, nine kilograms of methamphetamine and three kilograms of opium. Experts say the use of GPS‑enabled consignments, encrypted communications and localized receiver networks makes detection increasingly difficult.

The Home Ministry has responded by installing advanced anti‑drone systems, high‑tech cameras and reinforced fencing in vulnerable districts such as Amritsar, Ferozepur and Ludhiana.