Alert Ferozepur police arrested 20 ‘Less-Suspected’ Women emerge in drug trade in 2 months
Ferozepur, April 5, 2026: A worrying trend is emerging in the border district of Ferozepur, where women are increasingly being found involved in drug trafficking. In recent operations, the police have arrested nearly 20 women allegedly engaged in drug peddling.
Officials indicate that women are now being used both as “mules” and independent operators in the narcotics network. Economic hardship, family connections to the trade, and the belief that women attract less suspicion during police checks are key reasons behind this shift.
Punjab, already grappling with a serious drug problem, has witnessed a sharp rise in the number of women arrested in such cases over the past three years, with figures crossing 3,000. Notably, more than 10 per cent of NDPS cases in the state now involve women as accused or co-accused.
Intelligence inputs suggest that in several instances, drug trafficking has turned into a family-run activity. Women have reportedly taken charge of operations after male members were arrested during anti-drug drives.
Security agencies have also observed that cross-border networks are increasingly using women as couriers, assuming they are less likely to be searched. Lack of employment opportunities and the lure of quick money are further pushing women into the illegal trade.
Recent cases highlight the seriousness of the issue. On March 31, police arrested a woman near Zira and recovered 3 kg of heroin along with drug money worth ₹11.5 lakh. In another incident, two smugglers, including a woman from Fazilka, were caught with 512 grams of ICE. Earlier, another woman was arrested with 420 intoxicating tablets.
Punjab State Women Commission Chairperson Raj Lali Gill has expressed concern over the growing exploitation of women in the narcotics trade, urging stronger measures to address the issue.
The trend underscores the urgent need for both strict enforcement and social intervention to prevent further involvement of women in drug trafficking.