Drug Mafia Goes High-Tech; Governments Must Move Faster, Says Randhawa
Drug deals now being conducted through social media platforms, drones being used to deliver consignments, locations being shared through messaging apps
City Air News
Aug 12, 2026 07:23
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Calls on the Central and Punjab Governments to launch a special campaign against digital networks involved in drug trafficking
Chandigarh, August 12, 2026: Former Punjab Deputy Chief Minister and Member of Parliament Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa has expressed serious concern over the growing digital network of drug trafficking, saying that drug traffickers today are using social media and modern technology to stay several steps ahead of governments. He said drug deals are now being conducted through social media platforms, drones are being used to deliver drug consignments, and traffickers are sharing locations and other information through messaging apps.
Randhawa said that if traffickers are using technology while governments continue to rely on outdated methods, it is a matter of serious concern. In such a situation, the fight against drugs cannot be won merely through traditional methods and grand claims. He questioned: when drug traffickers are moving one step ahead through technology, when will governments develop a strategy to stay one step ahead of them?
Randhawa said governments and security agencies must also adapt their strategies and technological capabilities with changing times. Digital surveillance, cyber intelligence, anti-drone technology, and better coordination between states and central agencies should be made an integral part of the campaign against drugs.
He urged the Central and Punjab Governments to launch a special campaign targeting the digital networks involved in drug trafficking and take concrete and effective action not only to protect young people from drugs but also to completely dismantle the new technology-driven chain of the drug trade. The fight against drugs will not be won merely by making claims, but by breaking the traffickers' networks at the grassroots, understanding their digital communications, and using new technologies to apprehend them in time.
