Drone-assisted cross-border drug smuggling surges since 2021, Punjab worst hit: Government

Drone-assisted cross-border drug trafficking has risen exponentially since 2021.

Punjab is the worst affected state, reporting 298 of 305 drone-related drug trafficking incidents in 2025.

Authorities seized nearly 460 kg of narcotics, including 448 kg of heroin, 9 kg of methamphetamine, and 3 kg of opium.

Drug trafficking syndicates use drones, GPS-enabled consignments, encrypted communications, and local receiver networks to infiltrate drugs into India.