Punjab’s ongoing drug crisis

• Punjab, located near the Golden Crescent of Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Iran, is a major target for drug trafficking.

• The state’s international border with Pakistan has been a source of “proxy war” between the two countries.

• The use of drones for smuggling narcotics has intensified the transnational challenge.

• The Border Security Force (BSF) has been empowered to search, seize, and arrest for illicit drug trafficking at the International Border.

• Smugglers have shifted operations from larger drones to smaller ones, reducing losses in case of capture.

• In 2024, the BSF recovered 294 drones, 283 kg of heroin, and arrested 161 Indian smugglers and 30 Pakistani nationals.

• Punjab is a major consumer of drugs, with 29,010 cases registered and 39,832 people arrested under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.

• A 2022 study by the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) shows that 15% of Punjab’s population consumes some drug.

• The government has focused on targeting large networks of drug smugglers and local suppliers.

• The issue is linked to institutional corruption and lethargy to change mindsets.

• There is a clear nexus between politicians, the police, and the drug mafia.

• The police have limited capacity to investigate narcoterror and focus less on rehabilitation and reducing demand.

• Recognizing the seriousness of the issue is crucial for effective and strategic combat.