Ferozepur: In another major case highlighting the rampant use of drones for smuggling consignments across the international border, Ferozepur police have registered a case under the NDPS Act Section 21 and 11, 12 of the Air Craft Act 1934 on July 13, 2025.
As per the media sources, in the first half of 2025, over 130 drones have been recovered along Punjab’s border with Pakistan, along with 135 kg of narcotics and 79 weapons, highlighting the growing menace of cross-border smuggling through drones. In 2024, 294 drones were seized compared to 107 in 2023, indicating a sharp rise in such incidents. These drones are frequently used to drop consignments of heroin, arms, explosives, and fake currency in border villages, especially in Amritsar, Tarn Taran, and Ferozepur. Despite advanced surveillance and anti-drone technology deployed by BSF and Punjab Police, such activities continue almost weekly, with many recoveries including drone parts, batteries, and payloads from fields and farmlands near the border.
According to official sources, Jaswinder Singh, son of Pritam Singh of village Sukhwinder Singh Wali Basti, was allegedly involved in receiving a consignment dropped through a drone. The matter was reported by Gurvinder Kumar, ASI, who registered the case under FIR No. 98 dated July 13, 2025.
As per the investigation, the police recovered 407 grams of heroin – commercial quantity - wrapped in a black polythene bag along with a drone battery and two propeller blades from the fields near the village.
Police officials revealed that such drone-based cross-border smuggling activities have become frequent in the border villages, with consignments of drugs and arms often being dropped and collected covertly during night hours.
The accused has been booked under sections of the NDPS Act and the Air Craft Act, and further investigation is underway to trace the network involved.
Authorities have reiterated that strict surveillance is being maintained, yet such incidents point towards the continuing threat from across the border.