New Delhi, September 17, 2025: India is facing a growing narcotics threat from across its western border, with drug-laden drones from Pakistan emerging as a major challenge for security forces, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has said in its annual report for 2024.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah released the report Tuesday while inaugurating the second national conference of heads of anti-narcotics task forces (ANTF) from states and Union Territories. The NCB, which functions under the Ministry of Home Affairs, described drone-based smuggling as a “significant threat” to India’s internal security.
“The use of drones for cross-border smuggling of narcotics has emerged as a significant threat to India’s internal security, particularly along the Pakistan border in Punjab,” the report said. “This evolving modus operandi has replaced traditional smuggling methods and poses a complex challenge for law enforcement and border security agencies.”
According to the data, drone-related drug recoveries have escalated sharply in recent years. In 2021, only three cases were recorded. By 2024, that number had risen to 179. Punjab accounted for 163 of these seizures, followed by 15 cases in Rajasthan and one in Jammu and Kashmir.
Border districts such as Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Ferozepur and Gurdaspur were identified as the main hotspots. The consignments intercepted through drone operations largely consisted of heroin and opium, totaling about 236 kilograms.
Alongside cross-border smuggling, the NCB reported a nationwide surge in synthetic drug seizures. Between 2019 and 2024, recoveries of substances such as amphetamine-type stimulants (ATS), MDMA, mephedrone and methaqualone increased nearly six-fold.
“In 2024, about 11,994 kg of synthetic drugs were seized compared to just 1,890 kg in 2019. This sharp rise is primarily driven by the high profitability and increasing market demand for these substances,” the report noted.
Year-wise figures show the trend: 1,989 kg of synthetic drugs were seized in 2020, falling briefly to 657 kg in 2021, before jumping to 4,216 kg in 2022 and 4,209 kg in 2023. Officials said the upward curve is alarming, particularly as these substances are often consumed by young people.
The report also highlighted another worrying development—the surge in narcotics smuggling via maritime routes. Seizures from the sea in 2024 stood at 10,564 kg, marking a nearly 500-fold increase compared to 2019. Officials said drug syndicates are increasingly using coastal routes alongside drones and traditional land corridors.
Anti-narcotics officers said the changing methods of smuggling demand constant upgrades in surveillance and enforcement. Drone technology, in particular, poses operational challenges because of its ability to deliver small but high-value consignments quickly and covertly.
A senior official familiar with the report said, “Drones have fundamentally altered the dynamics of drug trafficking along the border. Intercepting them requires advanced monitoring equipment and close coordination between law enforcement and border security agencies.”
At Tuesday’s conference, Home Minister Shah underlined the need for states and Union Territories to strengthen their anti-narcotics task forces and enhance intelligence sharing. He called for “a coordinated national effort to dismantle trafficking networks and cut off supply routes.”
The NCB’s annual report, which compiles countrywide figures on drug seizures, serves as a roadmap for policy makers. By flagging drones, synthetic substances and maritime routes as key concerns, it has put the spotlight on the evolving landscape of narcotics trafficking in India.
For Punjab and other border states, the findings underscore the scale of the challenge ahead. With traffickers shifting tactics rapidly, officials say the fight against narcotics will require not only stronger policing but also advanced technology and sustained vigilance.
