Archive · 28 Aug 2026
Pakistan-based Cartels Recruit Punjab Youth for Drone Drug Deliveries
Drug groups operating from Pakistan are trying to recruit unemployed young people in Punjab.
They pay large amounts of money for picking up and delivering illegal drugs.
Drones drop the drugs inside India, away from the border.
This makes the work less risky for the couriers.
Officials say many drones are used every day.
Some groups also use teenagers because they may attract less suspicion and face different legal procedures.
Punjab Police are trying to stop the supply networks.
However, officials say advanced drones make the investigation difficult.
Cartels operating from Pakistan are recruiting unemployed Punjab youth as drug couriers.
Tarn Taran is described as a major hub for cross-border narcotics smuggling.
Officials said drones make nearly 20 drug-drop attempts daily, with about 15 potentially succeeding.
Couriers reportedly earn Rs 20,000–40,000 per delivery, while some make Rs 60,000–1,20,000 monthly.
Punjab Police are targeting supply chains, but advanced drones and juvenile recruitment remain major challenges.
- Who
- Narcotic cartels operating from Pakistan, unemployed youth in Punjab, and Punjab Police are involved.
- What
- Cartels are recruiting people, including some juveniles, to collect and deliver drugs dropped by drones.
- When
- Officials said the activity involves daily drone-drop attempts, with couriers typically making two or three deliveries per month.
- Where
- Tarn Taran and other border areas of Punjab in India are the main locations mentioned.
- Why
- Cartels seek couriers to move drugs while reducing their own risks, and unemployed youth are attracted by payments of Rs 20,000–40,000 per delivery.
- Main hub
- Tarn Taran in Punjab is described as a focus of cross-border drug smuggling.
- Reported drone activity
- Officials said nearly 20 drug-drop attempts are made each day, with around 15 potentially succeeding.
- Courier payment
- Couriers reportedly receive Rs 20,000 to Rs 40,000 for each pickup and delivery.
- Courier network
- One official estimated that 100 to 150 youth operate across the border areas.
- Monthly earnings
- Couriers making three deliveries a month may reportedly earn Rs 60,000 to Rs 1,20,000.
- Juvenile recruitment
- Officials said some couriers are between 14 and 16 years old.
- Law-enforcement response
- Punjab Police have increased action against the narcotics supply chains.