Rajasthan: Police bust cross-border smuggling network; key accused held

Jaipur, May 12 (PTI) Police have busted a cross-border smuggling network using drones to drop weapons and heroin near the international border in Rajasthan’s Bikaner district, officials said on Tuesday.

A key accused, Sonu alias Sukhwinder, was brought on production warrant from Faridkot jail in Punjab and arrested for his alleged role as the main handler of the network, they said.

Inspector General of Police Om Prakash said Pakistani smugglers had sent a drone carrying five pistols and 325 cartridges into Indian territory near Khajuwala on February 26, 2026.

However, the drone crashed in a mustard field due to a technical glitch, leading to seizure of the consignment after locals alerted security agencies, the IG said.

The police said the accused

was operating the smuggling network from jail and was coordinating deliveries along the western border.

Bikaner Superintendent of Police Mridul Kachhawa said a mobile phone recovered from the accused contains crucial information about the network, and more arrests are likely in the case.

The case is being investigated as a matter linked to national security, with efforts underway to trace local operatives and cross-border connections, the officials said. PTI AG KVK KVK