In a significant blow to cross-border narcotics smuggling, the Border Security Force (BSF) and Punjab Police's Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) apprehended an alleged drug trafficker in Amritsar district, recovering 25.9 kg of heroin along with a pistol and ammunition on Wednesday night. The operation, conducted near Beharwal village—located close to the India-Pakistan border—highlights the ongoing challenges of drug infiltration in Punjab, a state plagued by its proximity to smuggling routes.

Acting on specific intelligence inputs, the joint team intercepted a suspicious motorcycle rider in the Beharwal area, a known hotspot for illicit activities due to its strategic location along the international frontier. Upon searching the suspect's large bag, authorities discovered 23 neatly packed parcels of suspected heroin, weighing a gross total of 25.9 kg, alongside a pistol equipped with two magazines.

Additional items, including a mobile phone and the motorcycle, were also seized. The contraband is believed to have been air-dropped via drone from across the border, a common tactic employed by Pakistani smugglers to evade ground patrols.

The accused, identified as a resident of Beharwal village, was promptly handed over to the ANTF for further interrogation and legal proceedings under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. Officials suspect he is part of a larger syndicate operating in the region, with preliminary probes pointing to links with international handlers.

This seizure underscores Punjab's vulnerability to the global heroin trade, primarily sourced from Afghanistan and routed through Pakistan, fueling a public health crisis that has claimed thousands of lives through addiction and overdose.

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Punjab has long grappled with drug trafficking, registering over 28,000 FIRs under the NDPS Act between 2019 and 2021, ranking third nationally behind Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra. Recent 2025 operations have yielded even larger hauls, including 30 kg in February and 20 kg in early September, reflecting intensified efforts under Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's zero-tolerance campaign.

The BSF's use of advanced surveillance, including drone detection, has been pivotal in such busts, with experts estimating the street value of this consignment at over Rs 180 crore. As investigations continue, authorities aim to dismantle the network, preventing further influx into Punjab's vulnerable border districts.

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