Smugglers use swollen rivers to push drugs, arms into state

Four drug overdose deaths have occurred in Tarn Taran this month as Pakistani smugglers exploit the swollen Ravi and Sutlej to push narcotics into India using boats and tyre tubes. Despite flooding in both Pakistan and Punjab here, smuggling continues.

Security agencies have intercepted several consignments, including weapons sent by boat through the Sutlej in Fazilka. The Border Security Force (BSF) intercepted men arriving by boat in what officials described as the first reported instance of such a method for delivering weapons. The BSF and the Punjab Police seized 27 pistols and 470 cartridges from Mohar Jamsher village, followed by another seizure of 16 pistols and nearly 1,850 cartridges. According to investigations, smugglers received Rs 20,000 to Rs 30,000 per pistol, with delivery details shared after payment.

Flooding caused the river span in Fazilka to widen several kilometres, prompting increased use of boats. Similar smuggling tactics were seen during floods in 2003 and 2023, including the use of tyre tubes and plastic bottles to float narcotics and weapons across the border. Smugglers swam across to push in consignments weighing up to 70 kg before returning to Pakistan.

Due to flooding, the BSF vacated several forward posts in Tarn Taran and Amritsar. Police seized about 20 kg contraband recently smuggled through river routes using tyre tubes. A police official involved in the investigation said, “Interrogation of smugglers revealed that around 30 kg narcotics were trafficked using this method in the past 15 days, of which 20 kg were seized.”

The police found an audio recording in a smuggler’s mobile phone wherein Pakistani operatives could be heard discussing about moving narcotics and weapons through the flooded Ravi and using drones.

This month’s overdose victims include Nishan Singh (27) of Chhapri Sahib, who died after injecting an oral de-addiction tablet; brothers Malkiat Singh and Gurpreet Singh of Jamarai village; and Nishan Singh (24) of Baghiari village.

On Tuesday, the Punjab Police raided 359 locations, arrested 86 persons, and registered 75 FIRs. The raids led to the seizure of 21.1 kg heroin, 2 kg opium, 254 kg poppy husk, 1,156 intoxicant tablets/capsules and some cash.