In a major crackdown on cross-border drug trafficking, Punjab Police has busted a high-value narcotics smuggling module in Amritsar, arresting two individuals and recovering 64.62 kilograms of heroin. Officials confirmed that the network has direct links to Pakistan-based handlers as well as coordinators operating from Portugal, pointing to a wider international drug trafficking syndicate.
The operation was carried out by the State Special Operations Cell (SSOC), Amritsar unit of the Counter Intelligence wing, following credible intelligence inputs regarding a drone-delivered drug consignment that had recently entered Indian territory from across the border.
The arrested accused have been identified as Sarwan Singh alias Gujjar, a resident of Awan Wasau village in Amritsar, and Shamsher Singh alias Shera, a resident of Dial Rangar village in the same district. Police also seized a Maruti Swift car allegedly used for transporting the narcotics consignment.
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Pakistan Handlers, Portugal Coordinators Exposed
According to senior police officials, preliminary investigation has revealed that the module was in constant communication with Pakistan-based smugglers and handlers, while coordination of operations was being managed through contacts based in Portugal. The network is believed to be part of a larger transnational syndicate involved in large-scale drug trafficking into India.
Investigators further stated that the accused were allegedly linked to a Pakistan-based smuggler network previously associated with a massive 532 kg heroin seizure at the Integrated Check Post (ICP), Attari, in 2019. Officials believe the same network continues to operate using modified routes and advanced delivery mechanisms to evade security forces.
Drone Drop Intercepted Near Border Area
The Director General of Police said the module was intercepted after intelligence inputs indicated that a drone had recently dropped a consignment near the border area. The arrested duo was allegedly assigned the task of retrieving the consignment and further distributing it to other handlers in the network.
Authorities said the gang had been promised significant financial incentives in exchange for their involvement in the trafficking operation. The recovered heroin was reportedly intended for further distribution across multiple districts in Punjab and neighbouring states.
Rising Drone Threat Along Punjab Border
Officials added that the investigation is ongoing to establish both forward and backward linkages of the network. Efforts are underway to identify additional operatives involved in storage, transportation, and distribution of narcotics.
In a parallel development, security agencies have flagged a rising trend of drone-based drug smuggling along the India-Pakistan border. In the first quarter of the current year alone, more than 330 kilograms of heroin have been seized by the Border Security Force (BSF) and Punjab Police during coordinated anti-smuggling operations.
Officials also reported the recovery of weapons and ammunition in several related seizures, suggesting that narcotics trafficking networks may also have links with broader illegal and potentially security-related activities in the region.
Security agencies stated that the use of drones, encrypted communication platforms, and foreign-based coordinators has significantly transformed cross-border smuggling operations. These methods allow traffickers to bypass traditional border surveillance systems and reduce direct human exposure at the border.
Investigators are now focusing on digital evidence, communication records, and financial transactions to reconstruct the full structure of the network. Officials confirmed that more arrests and recoveries are likely as the investigation expands further.
Authorities further noted that coordinated efforts between central and state agencies have strengthened surveillance along sensitive border areas, including deployment of anti-drone technologies and intelligence-driven monitoring systems.
The case highlights the increasing complexity of cross-border drug trafficking networks and the evolving strategies used by international syndicates to exploit security gaps. Officials emphasized that dismantling such networks requires sustained multi-agency coordination and advanced technological intervention.
The investigation remains ongoing as agencies continue to trace the broader supply chain, financial handlers, and international connections linked to the busted module.
