Rajasthan: Heroin Worth ₹304 Crore Smuggled from Pakistan in 7 Months, Youths Used as Pawns; Two Cases Raise Security Agencies’ Concern

Drone-based smuggling of drugs and weapons from Pakistan has emerged as a serious security challenge for India's border districts. In the first seven months of 2026, around 69 kg 808 grams of heroin was smuggled into Indian territory via drones across the India-Pakistan international border, with an estimated international market value of nearly ₹304 crore. In the latest operation, security agencies recovered 10 kg of heroin, 11 foreign-made pistols and 100 cartridges from the Khajuwala area, prompting a stepped-up investigation into the wider network.

Smuggling network spreads across border belt

According to investigating agencies, the smuggling network is now active across Karanpur, Raisinghnagar, Rawla, Hindumalkot, Kesrisinghpur and Jaitsar in Sri Ganganagar district, as well as Khajuwala in Bikaner. Smugglers drop heroin and weapons into fields under cover of darkness using drones, with local contacts then moving the consignments to safe locations. A joint investigation by police, the BSF, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) and CID has revealed that some rural youths were being lured with money to collect the drone-dropped consignments, which were then transported to networks operating across various states.

Weapons infiltrating alongside narcotics

Security agencies believe that sending foreign weapons along with heroin via drones is aimed not merely at smuggling but at fostering organised crime and posing a threat to national security in border areas. As a result, drone-based smuggling is increasingly being viewed as a new form of "narco-terrorism."

Growing focus on anti-drone systems

With drone activity on the rise, authorities are strengthening anti-drone systems, drone radar, electronic surveillance and coordinated action between various security agencies along the border, in a bid to effectively curb cross-border drone drops.

Two cases heighten agencies' concern

In April, 14 kg of heroin was recovered from the boot of a scooter following a road accident in the Poogal area. Now, the recovery of 10 kg of heroin and foreign weapons in Khajuwala has exposed the seriousness of this network. In both cases, the accused carrying the consignments were found to have links to Pali and Jaitaran, prompting police to step up special surveillance in these areas as well.

Timeline of drone drops this year

• 9 January: 500g heroin — Khajuwala
• 10 January: 4.008 kg heroin, 3 arrested — Anupgarh
• 11 February: 2.25 kg heroin — Khajuwala
• 26 February: 5 foreign pistols, 325 cartridges — Khajuwala
• 1 March: 1 kg heroin — Rawla
• 9 March: 6.4 kg heroin — Raisinghnagar
• 26 March: 10 kg heroin, 5 arrested — Rawla
• 5 April: 12.167 kg heroin — Karanpur
• 6 April: 2.340 kg heroin — Karanpur
• 7 April: 1.5 kg heroin — Karanpur
• 18 April: 759g heroin — Raisinghnagar
• 26 April: 1 kg heroin — Kesrisinghpur
• 27 June: 10.5 kg heroin — Jaitsar
• 20 July: 1 kg heroin — Hindumalkot
• 2 August: 10 kg heroin, 11 foreign pistols — Khajuwala

"Serious challenge to national security"

Cross-border drone smuggling of drugs and weapons poses a serious challenge to national security, said Om Prakash, Inspector General of Police, Bikaner Range. He said all agencies are acting in coordination and that every individual linked to the drone-dropping network is being kept under close watch.