Amritsar: The Amritsar Commissionerate Police achieved a significant breakthrough on Thursday, April 23, 2026, by busting an organized cross-border smuggling module involved in the trafficking of synthetic drugs and illegal weapons. Acting on specific intelligence, police teams apprehended three suspects and recovered 915 grams of ICE (Methamphetamine), five sophisticated pistols, and several rounds of live ammunition. Preliminary investigations indicate that the arrested individuals were operating as local handlers for Pakistan-based smugglers, using social media platforms to coordinate the delivery of contraband dropped via drones near the International Border.
The operation was centered in the Gate Hakima area, where the module was allegedly preparing to distribute the illegal consignment to various criminal elements across Punjab. According to senior police officials, the recovery of ICE—a highly potent synthetic stimulant—highlights a shifting trend in cross-border smuggling, moving beyond traditional heroin to more dangerous chemical substances. The accused have reportedly admitted to their involvement in multiple previous deliveries, which were intended to fund and arm local organized crime networks.
An FIR has been registered at the Gate Hakima Police Station under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and the Arms Act. The Commissionerate Police have launched a comprehensive follow-up investigation to trace the financial trails and establish the identities of the end-users in the distribution chain. Officials reiterated their commitment to a zero-tolerance policy against narco-terrorism, emphasizing that technical and forensic teams are now working to identify the specific Pakistan-linked entities orchestrating these drone-based operations.
