Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann announced that approximately 80% of cross-border drug supply from Pakistan has been eliminated following aggressive anti-drone deployments and border security crackdowns. However, state law enforcement agencies are now pivoting their focus toward domestic transit routes as illegal pharmaceutical drugs originating from neighbouring Indian states emerge as the primary narcotics challenge. Shift in Regional Narcotics DynamicsAddressing a press conference in Chandigarh alongside Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav, Chief Minister Mann highlighted that strict vigilance along the India-Pakistan border has significantly curtailed the influx of street-level heroin. In response to tighter surveillance on traditional cross-border routes, drug networks are increasingly attempting to route illicit shipments into Punjab via other domestic corridors. Data released by law enforcement agencies indicates that illegal pharmaceutical pills and synthetic narcotics originating from states like Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Haryana, Delhi, and Himachal Pradesh now account for nearly 80% of the illicit supply entering the state. Supply CorridorPrevious TrendCurrent Operational FocusPrimary ChallengePakistan International Border~80% of total drug supply (Heroin/Opium)Down by ~80% due to anti-drone gridsDrone drops & border breachesDomestic Inter-State RoutesMinor localized supplyEmerging threat (~80% of current pills)Diversion of commercial pharma supply chainsAnti-Drone Strategy and Border SurveillanceThe state government attributed the drop in cross-border heroin availability to intense joint operations by the Border Security Force (BSF) and the Punjab Police under the state's ongoing anti-drug drive. To counter aerial drops by unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), Punjab has implemented multi-tiered technological countermeasures along border districts: Advanced Drone Interception: Deployments include 'Drone Sense D200 Pro' units and strategic 'Baaj Akh' anti-drone systems across vulnerable sectors like Amritsar, Tarn Taran, and Ferozepur. Dedicated Response Teams: 52 specialized Drone Response Teams comprising 147 trained personnel operate in close coordination with border forces. Second-Line Defense: Over 2,300 CCTV cameras installed across 585 strategic locations support 64 second-line defense check-posts (nakas). These enforcement efforts have resulted in the recovery of 486 drones and the interception of hundreds of cross-border smuggling attempts. Multi-State Coordination to Target New Inflow RoutesWith illegal pharmaceutical tablets and synthetic substances being diverted into Punjab from other manufacturing and trade hubs, the Chief Minister urged the central government and neighbouring state administrations to strengthen inter-state border checks. Mann pointed out that large-scale seizures at major maritime hubs—such as Gujarat’s Mundra Port—demonstrate the need to choke national supply lines at the source rather than focusing solely on transit points. Over 11.54 lakh pharmaceutical tablets and capsules linked to inter-state supply lines have been seized by Punjab Police, prompting the establishment of specialized intelligence units to monitor supply networks across Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat. Enforcement Metrics and Financial CrackdownOutlining overall enforcement figures, the state police detailed significant progress achieved under ongoing narcotics drives: Arrests and Cases: Over 60,000 FIRs registered, leading to the arrest of nearly 80,000 individuals involved in drug trade networks, including over 700 high-level suppliers. Contraband Seizures: Recoveries include 3,803 kg of heroin, 976 kg of opium, 46 tonnes of poppy husk, and over 78 lakh intoxicant pills and capsules. Financial Attachments: Properties valued at ₹366 crore belonging to drug peddlers have been frozen under Section 68-F of the NDPS Act, alongside the arrest of 102 illegal hawala operators handling drug proceeds. Conviction Rate: The integration of the AI-driven Punjab Artificial Intelligence System (PAIS) for forensic and suspect tracking has raised the state's NDPS conviction rate to an unprecedented 89%. The Chief Minister reiterated that while border vigilance remains high, the state is shifting significant resources toward inter-state border monitoring, intelligence-sharing, and strict regulation of pharmaceutical supply chains to prevent new routes from taking root. Also Read :- Uttarakhand CM Dhami Directs Officials to Ensure Timely Resolution of Public Grievances
