A major breakthrough against cross-border narcotics trafficking unfolded in Amritsar this week as Punjab Police dismantled two Pakistan-backed drug smuggling modules operating across the region. The operations led to the arrest of two suspected traffickers and the recovery of a substantial quantity of methamphetamine, commonly known as ICE. The seizures, totalling 2.815 kilograms, underscore the continuing challenge posed by transnational smuggling networks that rely on encrypted communication, locally recruited operatives, and covert pickup routes to move high-value narcotics from Pakistan into Punjab.

Punjab Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav confirmed that the two arrested individuals—identified as Gursevak Singh, also known as Sevak, and Baljit Singh—were key links within the modules. Gursevak is a resident of Gharyala village in Tarn Taran, an area close to the border and frequently flagged for cross-border trafficking activity. Baljit Singh, meanwhile, is from Guru Nanakpura in Amritsar. According to police officials, both operatives were in direct contact with Pakistan-based handlers who supervised the movement of drug consignments through virtual numbers designed to mask identity and location. These virtual communication channels are increasingly used by transnational trafficking syndicates to evade surveillance and facilitate real-time coordination without leaving a traceable digital footprint.

Preliminary investigation revealed that the handlers instructed the arrested men to collect narcotics at specific locations within Punjab, often selecting places near gurdwaras or other religious establishments to avoid drawing suspicion. Such tactics reflect a pattern observed in earlier cases where traffickers used high-footfall or emotionally sensitive locations to disguise routine pickups. The DGP stated that investigators are now probing both forward and backward linkages of the modules—an inquiry that aims to establish the identity of the Pakistan-based suppliers, the local distribution networks, and the extent of financial flows enabling the cross-border operations.

Commissioner of Police Amritsar, Gurpreet Singh Bhullar, shared operational details of the twin crackdowns. In the first operation, which was based on specific intelligence inputs, police teams established a checkpoint near Dana Mandi in Amritsar. During the checkpoint operation, officers intercepted and arrested Gursevak Singh and recovered 40 grams of ICE from his possession. Subsequent interrogation yielded critical information that enabled police to launch a follow-up raid. Acting on his disclosure, officers recovered an additional 1.96 kilograms of the same narcotic from a concealed location. The recovery is significant not only due to the quantity but also because methamphetamine, being highly addictive and potent, fetches an exceptionally high price in illegal markets. The volume seized suggested that the accused was not a low-level courier but a trusted operative responsible for handling bulk consignments.

Police also found that Gursevak’s communication records indicated sustained and direct interaction with a Pakistan-based smuggler. The use of virtual, internet-based numbers made the exchange appear untraceable, but technical surveillance and interrogation allowed investigators to reconstruct parts of the communication chain. The information extracted from his digital devices and disclosures has become a central lead in mapping the network’s hierarchy and identifying other couriers involved in distributing consignments across Punjab.

In a parallel operation, Amritsar Police apprehended the second operative, Baljit Singh, following a checkpoint set up based on credible intelligence near a private school on Vallah Bypass Road. During the inspection, officers recovered 45 grams of ICE from his possession. Similar to the first operation, the accused provided information that led officers to a location where an additional 770 grams of the drug had been stored. Investigators believe Baljit’s role was similar to that of Gursevak—a contracted operative tasked with receiving, safeguarding, and delivering consignments to local distributors under the direct supervision of Pakistan-based handlers.

What concerns senior officers is the emerging pattern behind these two cases: both accused individuals were operating independently but appeared to be reporting to handlers across the border via encrypted communication. Neither suspect seems to have been in contact with the other, indicating that the network is structured into compartmentalised cells. Such compartmentalisation is a typical tactic of well-organised smuggling syndicates, ensuring that the arrest of any one operative does not expose the entire chain.

Furthermore, investigators said that the choice of locations for drug pickups reflects a strategic attempt to exploit the openness of public spaces and the sanctity attached to religious areas. By using such locations, traffickers hope to avoid security checks or public suspicion. Authorities believe that drones may also have been used in some cases for cross-border drops, although no direct evidence of drone usage has emerged in these particular operations so far. Still, the possibility remains under investigation as such drops have become increasingly common along the Punjab-Pakistan border.

DGP Gaurav Yadav stated that further investigation is underway to unearth cross-border handlers, dismantle logistical chains, and identify the financial channels funding these operations. The police are analysing call records, encrypted messaging data, and financial trails to determine whether payments to couriers were made through hawala channels or routed through seemingly legitimate digital transactions. Forensic analysis of the seized methamphetamine is also underway to isolate chemical signatures that may help establish the drug’s exact origin and production source.

Commissioner Bhullar emphasised that these operations are part of a broader, intensified crackdown on narcotics in the border belt. Over the past two years, Punjab Police has repeatedly highlighted the evolving methods used by smuggling networks, which now rely on social-media-based communication, anonymous numbers, and remote coordination to deliver high-value drugs. Methamphetamine, in particular, has become a major concern because of its rising demand, relatively easy concealment and high profit margins. The seizure of 2.815 kg of ICE in a single day marks one of the more significant interdictions in recent months, especially in the context of cross-border trafficking.

Police sources confirmed that two separate FIRs have been registered in connection with the two operations. Both accused are currently in custody and are being interrogated to identify additional associates. Investigators are also examining whether the module relied on specific drones, border guides, or riverine routes that have become common pathways for the movement of narcotics from Pakistan to Punjab. Authorities are assessing whether the arrested operatives had prior involvement in similar cases or were recruited recently through local networks.

As the investigation deepens, security agencies are expected to collaborate closely with central intelligence organisations to prevent further infiltration of narcotics. The seizures highlight the complex challenge posed by drug traffickers operating with cross-border support and the critical importance of intelligence-driven policing in a region that continues to face the dual threat of narcotics and arms smuggling. For now, the dismantling of these two modules represents a major step in Punjab Police’s ongoing effort to disrupt the supply chain and contain the influence of organised smuggling networks linked to Pakistan.