Heroin worth Rs 8 crore dropped by Pakistani drone recovered in Rajasthan; 16 kg drugs seized in 3 days

JAISALMER: In yet another major action along the India-Pakistan international border, a fresh consignment of heroin dropped by a Pakistani drone was recovered on Tuesday in the Karanpur sector of Sri Ganganagar district, marking the third consecutive day of such recoveries in the region. Acting on inputs from the Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF), the Border Security Force (BSF), in coordination with the police, recovered two packets of heroin weighing approximately 1.560 kg near the international border. The estimated value of the seized heroin in the international market is around ₹8 crore. The packets were found close to the same area where, on Monday, three packets containing 2.340 kg of heroin were seized. Following the latest recovery, BSF, along with police and ANTF teams, has intensified search operations across the region, and extensive blockades have been put in place. In the past 72 hours, a total of 16.067 kg of heroin has been recovered in three separate operations in the Karanpur sector of Sri Ganganagar district, with an estimated international market value of around ₹80 crore. According to BSF sources, Pakistani smugglers across the border have been targeting the Sri Ganganagar sector using drones to drop narcotics consignments. On Tuesday, for the third straight day, a drone from across the border dropped two packets of heroin near BSF’s 3 FC border outpost in the Karanpur area. Sources said ANTF Sri Ganganagar had received specific intelligence inputs regarding the possible recovery of additional heroin packets in the same area. This information was promptly shared with the BSF’s intelligence wing, leading to a joint search operation. During the search, the joint team recovered two packets from an agricultural field weighing around 1.560 kg. The estimated value of this consignment is around ₹8 crore. Sri Ganganagar Superintendent of Police Harishankar Yadav confirmed that the heroin was smuggled across the international border via drone by Pakistani traffickers and was recovered in a joint operation by district police and BSF. A case has been registered at Sri Karanpur Police Station (FIR No. 77/2026) under Sections 8/21 and 29 of the NDPS Act against unknown accused. The investigation has been handed over to Station House Officer Krishna Kumar Puni of Sameja Kothi Police Station. Efforts are underway to identify and apprehend those involved. Authorities have maintained a high alert in the region, with continuous search operations and surveillance being carried out jointly by BSF and police. Officials are working to identify the network behind these continued drone-based smuggling attempts. Security agencies believe this is not merely a case of drug trafficking but part of a larger, organised cross-border network posing a significant security challenge. Notably, on April 5, 12.167 kg of heroin was recovered from the Rohi area of village 23 O, followed by 2.340 kg on April 6 and 1.560 kg on April 7, bringing the total to 16.067 kg in just three days. Over the past three years, this marks the 18th incident of drone-based drug smuggling in the Sri Karanpur sector. In addition, 4.880 kg of heroin was seized in the Rawla area in January and 10.800 kg on March 26. So far, 10 accused have been arrested in connection with such cases.