Archive · 18 Sep 2026
India Warns of Alleged ISI-Linked Drug Smuggling Expansion
Indian officials say Pakistan’s intelligence agency may be helping drug smugglers send more narcotics into India.
They say meetings took place in Lahore to discuss smuggling through Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir.
Officials also believe other parts of India, including the northeast and southern states, could be targeted.
The alleged smugglers may use drones, roads and ships.
They may also recruit people inside India to carry and distribute drugs.
Authorities say drug money could help support terror groups and insurgents.
India has arrested many people in drug cases in recent years.
The officials warn that the next few months could be especially difficult.
Indian intelligence inputs allege that Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence is coordinating with narcotics networks to increase drug smuggling into India.
Officials say recent meetings in Lahore discussed routes through Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir, as well as other regions.
The alleged strategy includes land, sea and drone routes, along with recruiting more Indian carriers to distribute drugs domestically.
Authorities say networks connected to the Golden Triangle and trafficker Haji Salim may target northeastern and southern states.
Reported figures show 875,000 narcotics cases and 1,097,000 arrests between 2014 and 2026, compared with 195,000 arrests between 2004 and 2014.
- Who
- Indian intelligence and security officials allege that Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence, narcotics smugglers and related cartels are involved; Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced India’s intensified anti-drug mission.
- What
- Officials allege that drug networks linked to the Inter-Services Intelligence are preparing to expand narcotics smuggling and recruitment inside India.
- When
- The report was published on September 18; officials refer to meetings held in recent weeks and one meeting in Lahore last month.
- Where
- The alleged operations may involve routes through Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir, northeastern and southern India, Pakistan, and the Golden Triangle.
- Why
- Officials say the alleged effort aims to raise money for terror groups, support insurgent networks, pressure Indian agencies and challenge the Indian government’s anti-drug campaign.
- Alleged coordinating agency
- Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence
- Reported meeting location
- Lahore, Pakistan
- Primary Indian border areas mentioned
- Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir
- Other regions mentioned
- Northeastern and southern Indian states
- Alleged smuggling methods
- Drones, land routes and sea routes
- Cases registered, 2014–2026
- 875,000
- Arrests, 2014–2026
- 1,097,000
- Foreign nationals arrested in 2025
- 747