Tue Sep 16 16:55:30 UTC 2025: **Summary:**

The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) annual report reveals a significant surge in drone-driven drug smuggling along the India-Pakistan border in Punjab, with seizures increasing dramatically from 3 in 2021 to 179 in 2024. The report highlights the use of drones as a major threat to India’s internal security. Nationwide, drug law enforcement agencies have registered numerous cases, arrested over 1.22 lakh people, and confiscated substantial quantities of narcotics. The report also points to the increasing use of darknet markets, cryptocurrency-based transactions, and coastal routes for drug smuggling. India’s location makes it a key transit hub for Afghan heroin. Cocaine and ATS seizures have also seen substantial increases.

**News Article:**

**Drone Drug Smuggling Soars Along India-Pakistan Border: NCB Report**

**NEW DELHI, September 16, 2025** – A dramatic rise in drone-driven drug drops along the India-Pakistan border in Punjab has been reported by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) in its annual report released today. Seizures have skyrocketed from a mere three cases in 2021 to a staggering 179 in 2024.

“The use of drones for cross-border smuggling of narcotics has emerged as a significant threat to India’s internal security, particularly along the Indo-Pak border in Punjab,” the report stated. Border districts like Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Ferozpur, and Gurdaspur have seen a sharp increase in drone sightings and recoveries of narcotics, primarily heroin and opium.

Nationwide, drug law enforcement agencies instituted 96,930 cases last year, arresting over 1.22 lakh people, including 660 foreign nationals. Agencies confiscated about 13,306 quintals of narcotic substances, with cannabis and opiates accounting for the largest proportions.

The report also highlighted the growing trend of using darknet markets and cryptocurrency-based transactions for drug trafficking. Coastal routes, particularly in Mumbai, Gujarat, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu, are being increasingly exploited for smuggling synthetic drugs.

India’s strategic location makes it a key transit hub for Afghan heroin trafficked via the southern route. According to the report, cocaine seizures have increased 78-fold since 2020, while ATS seizures have risen five-fold. Pharmaceutical diversion is also on the rise. The report noted that the major ports for loading drugs include Chabahar (Iran); Gwadar and Karachi (Pakistan). In 2024, maritime seizures amounted to 10,564 kg, compared to 2019 which had 500 fold less.

The NCB’s findings underscore the urgent need for enhanced border security measures and international cooperation to combat the evolving tactics of drug traffickers.

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