Pakistan using divers to smuggle drugs: Intel

HUSSAINIWALA (FEROZPUR): Narcotics smugglers from Pakistan have started using trained divers to cross the International Border (IB) into Indian Punjab, intelligence sources have said.

After the Border Security Force (BSF) stepped up its vigil, smugglers have started employing divers to navigate a 35km riverine area in Punjab’s Ferozpur, Gurdaspur and Amritsar sectors of the IB. BSF had recently introduced unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), laser walls and thermal imagers along with larger deployment of men along the border to squeeze out the drug supply.

BSF, which guards a 553km (518 km land and 33 km riverine) stretch of the IB along Punjab, has seized 729 kg narcotics (mostly heroin) worth hundreds of crores in the past three years.

The highest recovery of 340 kg was made from Ferozpur sector. The new method to pump drugs into the state was discovered during the interrogation of a peddler, who said his consignment was delivered to him by a diver.

Intelligence officers said specially trained divers, equipped with complete gear, were using Satluj and Ravi rivers to enter Punjab. These divers reportedly carry trans-border communication through WhatsApp.

“We are using various methods, including technology, to seal the unfenced riverine gaps, but scuba divers are proving to be a real challenge,” said a senior BSF officer of Ferozpur sector, adding that the divers seem to be using re-breathers to stop bubbles from surfacing.

BSF jawans confirmed that a detailed report about the new method has been sent to senior officers. They have also found that smugglers are using gullible farmers from the Indian side as couriers. Several such farmers were caught with narcotics hidden in their agriculture tools recently. J K Virdi, commandant of 105-Battalion of BSF that looks after Hussainiwala border in Ferozpur, said that drug smuggling in this area is being addressed effectively by the Indian troops.