New challenge of drug smuggling in India: Drone supply of drugs increased 100 times in 5 years, Punjab became the biggest hotspot.

New Delhi. Drug trafficking in India is now spreading rapidly with the help of new technology. According to the annual report of Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) for 2025 released by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, nearly 100 times increase in cases of drug smuggling through drones has been recorded in the last five years. In the year 2025, a record 305 cases of smuggling were reported using drones, in which 468 kg of narcotics were recovered.

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According to the report, out of 305 incidents related to drones, 298 cases have been registered in Punjab alone. It is clear from this that Punjab, adjacent to the India-Pakistan border, has emerged as the biggest center of drone-based drug smuggling. Dangerous drugs like heroin and methamphetamine are being smuggled from here.

Increase in drug abuse

The NCB report states that between 2021 and 2025, misuse and illegal supply of pharmaceutical drugs has increased by 77 percent. Punjab has seen the highest number of seizures of cough syrups containing codeine, while illegal smuggling of drugs like tramadol, buprenorphine and alprazolam has also increased.

Use of courier and postal services also

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Drug smugglers are now also taking help of courier and postal services. According to reports, 972 kg of narcotics have been seized through postal channels. Apart from this, the investigating agencies dismantled 30 clandestine synthetic drug laboratories operating across the country and arrested 102 people.

Action on foreign networks also

747 foreign nationals have been arrested in drug smuggling cases, most of which include citizens of Nepal, Nigeria and Myanmar. At the same time, taking action against the economic network of the drug cartel, assets worth Rs 836 crore have been frozen. It is clear from the NCB report that drug smuggling in India is now moving beyond traditional methods and is being operated through technology and international networks, to deal with which security agencies are constantly changing their strategies.