Tarn Taran, May 5: The Punjab Police have arrested over 2,200 individuals and dismantled several high-tech smuggling rings as part of an intensified campaign against the “drone-drugs-guns” nexus in the border regions. The ongoing operations, titled “Yudh Nashiyan Virudh” and “Gangstran Te Vaar,” have focused on cutting off the financial lifelines of gangsters who rely on narcotics trafficking from Pakistan.
In a recent briefing, Tarn Taran Senior Superintendent of Police Surendra Lamba declared that the district police have successfully frozen assets valued at ₹65 crore over the past year. These assets were identified as tools for financing gang operations and recruiting local youth into criminal activities.
“So far, we have frozen assets worth ₹65 crore within a year, most of it in the last three months,” SSP Lamba said. He added that these funds were instrumental in maintaining the mobility and influence of organized crime groups across the state.
The investigation into the nexus revealed that sophisticated drones are used to drop consignments of heroin and weapons, which are then distributed to various urban centers. Police recently recovered a 10 kg heroin shipment and seized numerous drones fitted with high-resolution cameras and advanced navigation equipment.
SSP Lamba stated that small drones typically carry loads between 0.5 to 12 kg, while larger units are capable of transporting much heavier payloads. He asserted that despite the logistical challenges posed by the proximity to the border, the district police have achieved strong results through intelligence-led raids.
The crackdown has also extended into the digital sphere. Authorities are now monitoring social media accounts and scrutinizing banking transactions to identify financiers and associates who use third-party accounts to mask their involvement. SSP Lamba affirmed that the state police are now utilizing artificial intelligence to counter the advanced mobility used by these criminal networks.
Recent enforcement efforts included the arrest of two shooters and 14 associates. SSP Lamba maintained that round-the-clock patrolling and the implementation of anti-drone technology remain central to the state’s strategy in maintaining law and order and protecting the region from foreign-backed illegal trade.
