Opium and heroin are smuggled into India using drones
Drugs smuggled in by drones have become an increasing concern in the Indian state of Punjab, writes The Guardian. This year alone, border police have stopped 90 drones flying in across the border from Pakistan. The majority of them have carried drugs such as opium and heroin in small bags or soda bottles.
And it's not about any small amounts. When The Guardian visits the area, a drone with five kilos of heroin has been shot down in a rice field the day before. Since the first drone was spotted in the area in 2019, it has become the main means of drug trafficking between the countries, according to the Border Police.
- This is a new domain for us and it is really a challenge. But I think we will be able to curb this drone menace next year," said Atul Fulzele, Inspector General of Border Police, Punjab.
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Nirmal, 60: Now it's drugs - what happens next?
In the Indian village of Attari, on the border with Pakistan, drones have become an unwelcome part of life in recent years. The other day, Nirmal Singh discovered how a drone flew into his land, the 60-year-old told The Guardian. As it approached the residence, he saw something fall from the drone. It turned out to be an old Pepsi bottle filled with drugs.
The drug smuggling risks giving further nourishment to the already widespread addiction in the village. But Nirmal Singh is also afraid of what will be the next step.
- If they start sending weapons or explosives, it would be an easy way to create problems here. We are very afraid of this, he says.
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