jj correspondent
Kathua, Sept 2: In a significant breakthrough against cross-border narco-trafficking, Kathua Police-under the leadership of SSP Kathua, Shobhit Saxena (IPS)-has successfully unearthed a Pakistan-based drone dropping syndicate operating across Jammu & Kashmir and Punjab. Four individuals have been arrested in connection with the case.
On July 29, 2025, specific intelligence was received regarding a narcotics packet being drone-dropped in Chhan Tanda village, Hiranagar, near the International Border (IB). Swift joint action by Kathua Police and the BSF led to the recovery of 447 grams of opium.
An FIR No. 107/25 was registered at Police Station Hiranagar under Sections 8/18/19 of the NDPS Act and Section 13 of the UAPA, following which an intensive investigation was launched.
During the investigation, with the help of local witnesses, two individuals involved in receiving drone consignments and acting as couriers were apprehended. The accused have been identified as:
Sukhwinder Singh, son of late Baldev Singh, resident of Amritsar
Arshadeep Singh alias Raja, son of Paramjit Singh, resident of Gurdaspur
Both were employed with the NHAI project in Ghagwal, Samba. Further questioning led to the seizure of 411 grams of heroin, which they had stored for onward supply to traffickers.
Continuing the investigation, and using data of known drug offenders in the Samba and Kathua regions, the intended recipient of the heroin was also identified and arrested:
Feroz Din alias Allu, son of Sahya, resident of Rajbagh, Kathua
He was found to be in direct contact with a Pakistan-based drug smuggler. His disclosures led to the arrest of the drug kingpin and financier from Tarn Taran, Punjab, who was responsible for funding the operation and channeling narcotic proceeds to Pakistan through hawala networks. Cash and heroin were also recovered from the financier and trafficker.
Initial investigations reveal that the syndicate has smuggled over 30 kilograms of heroin via drone drops across Punjab and Jammu & Kashmir. The accused operated a sophisticated and well-coordinated network, successfully evading law enforcement agencies until now.
Further investigations are ongoing, and more arrests and recoveries are expected in the coming days.
Separate Case: Five Arrested in Nagri-Kathua Drug Bust
In another strong crackdown, Kathua Police at Police Post Nagri arrested five individuals involved in local drug peddling. On July 1, 2025, two accused-Murad Ali, son of Shah Din, and Bagh Hussain, son of Imam Hussain (both residents of Kathua)-were apprehended with cash and heroin.
Subsequent investigation and follow-up raids led to the arrest of three more accused as part of backward and forward linkages in the drug chain. An additional 20 grams of heroin and cash were recovered from the group.
Kathua Police’s Ongoing War Against Drugs
This series of arrests comes shortly after the recent property seizures of drug traffickers in the district, demonstrating Kathua Police’s unrelenting resolve to wipe out the drug menace from the region.
The police urge citizens to support law enforcement efforts and come forward with information to help protect the youth from the growing threat of narcotics.
Kathua Police Bust Pakistan-Based Drone Dropping Syndicate; Four Arrested
