The Hindureports on February 1 that the Border Security Force (BSF) personnel arrested four Indian smugglers and seized a significant quantity of narcotics, arms and ammunition that was dropped by a drone along the India-Pakistan border in Amritsar District of Punjab on January 29. In all, nine packets of Heroin weighing 4.36 kilograms, one packet of ICE (methamphetamine) weighing 968 grams, one pistol, four rounds, INR 70,140, and one scooter was recovered.
Hindustan Timesreport on February 1 that the Border Security Force (BSF) have written to the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) following the January 29, 2024, drug bust at the India-Pakistan border in Amritsar in Punjab, suspecting it has links with some prisoners in Amritsar jail and Pakistan-based drug suppliers. The BSF in a statement on January 31 said they have identified two Pakistani nationals involved in recruiting villagers on the Indian side to receive arms and drugs sent through drones from across the border. Identifying them by their cell phone numbers and first names, Rana and Saha, the BSF said in the statement, “BSF will also pursue a strong case for an INTERPOL notice, in coordination with NCB, against Pakistani smuggler Rana, his brother, and Saha (the kingpins).” An unnamed senior officer requesting anonymity said: “Rana and Saha are the main players who are recruiting youths from villages in Tarn Taran (district) along the border. They have contacts with the Pakistan Rangers, who help them send drugs and weapons by tying it up to the drones. They get heroin from their contacts in Afghanistan and are pumping it inside India.”
Tribune Indiareports on January 30 that Village defence committees (VDCs) have been deputed in a 15 kilometres rural belt in Amritsar bordering Pakistan to assist the Border Security Force (BSF), the Punjab Police and other security agencies in strengthening border security and curb infiltration and smuggling of drugs and arms. Deputy Inspector General, Border Range, Narinder Bhargav said the VDCs played a vital role in providing information to check illegal drugs and arms networks. He said to strengthen the VDCs, armed village police officers had been attached to make these secure and functional. Amritsar Deputy Commissioner Ghanshyam Thori said at least 272 villages falling in the border belt of Ajnala, Lopoke and Amritsar II subdivisions had VDCs.