The crackdown is part of the “War Against Gangsters” campaign launched by the Bhagwant Mann-led government. Over the past three months, district police have registered 490 cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, arrested 630 individuals, and recovered 47.527 kilograms of heroin.
Senior Superintendent of Police Surinder Lamba stated that despite cross-border challenges, Punjab Police have taken decisive action against gangster networks receiving logistical support from Pakistan. He confirmed that assets worth ₹65 crore have been frozen within a year, with a significant portion linked to operations conducted in the last three months. These assets were directly or indirectly connected to gangsters and drug traffickers who used them to run their networks. He further highlighted that Punjab shares an approximately 102-kilometer-long border with Pakistan, where drones are actively used to smuggle drugs and weapons into Indian territory.
According to official data, in 2024, 313 cases were registered, 358 arrests were made, and 115 kilograms of heroin were seized. In the previous year, authorities registered 1,334 cases, carried out 1,662 arrests, and recovered over 244 kilograms of heroin.
Authorities have identified a high-tech “drone-drugs-guns” network operating in border areas. Through the ongoing campaign, police have strengthened their grip on such networks. Drug trafficking and illegal arms supply have become key revenue streams for organized crime groups, which are also recruiting local youth to expand their operations and execute major crimes.
Police officials revealed that drones are frequently used to drop consignments of drugs and weapons into Indian territory. These consignments are then collected from border regions and transported to various cities, forming a significant income source for criminal syndicates.
SSP Lamba explained that smaller drones can carry between 0.5 to 12 kilograms, while larger drones can transport up to 25 kilograms in a single flight. These drones can penetrate 5 to 15 kilometers داخل Indian territory, posing a serious security threat. Despite being the second line of defense, district police have achieved substantial success through intelligence-based operations.
Under the campaigns “War Against Drugs” and “War Against Gangsters,” district police have so far registered 1,736 cases and arrested more than 2,200 individuals. During the recently conducted “Operation Prahar,” 236 accused, including 10 absconding criminals, were arrested within six days, and 3.5 kilograms of heroin were recovered. The operation involved 50 teams, each comprising 10 police personnel.
To counter these threats, authorities have installed anti-drone systems and ensured round-the-clock patrolling in sensitive areas. Recovered drones were equipped with cameras, GPS systems, and pre-fed route maps, indicating the advanced technological capabilities of traffickers. Recently, a consignment of 10 kilograms of heroin was also seized.
Investigations revealed that gangsters are strengthening their networks using proceeds from drugs and illegal arms. Local residents are often exploited for extortion activities, with threats issued through phone calls. In cases of non-payment, incidents of firing are used to instill fear.
Recent operations under the campaign led to the arrest of multiple accused, including two shooters, financiers, operators, and 14 associates. Surveillance of social media accounts and banking transactions has also been intensified, uncovering the use of accounts registered under other individuals’ names.
SSP Lamba confirmed that Punjab Police are now deploying artificial intelligence to counter the advanced methods used by gangsters. The ongoing campaigns have played a crucial role in dismantling these networks and curbing drug trafficking. In addition to narcotics, authorities have also seized drones, weapons, motorcycles, and mobile phones during the operations.
The crackdown underscores a significant escalation in law enforcement efforts against a technologically evolving cross-border crime network, marking a decisive step toward dismantling the financial and operational backbone of organized crime in Punjab’s border regions.
About The Author
Comment List