AMRITSAR, India — Anurag Garg, head of the Narcotics Control Bureau, met with village heads from Punjab’s border areas in Amritsar district on Saturday. He pressed them to mobilize locals against drug smuggling and addiction, according to an official NCB statement released Sunday.

Garg pushed for a community-wide effort to tackle narcotics. Local leaders, he said, hold the key to steering youth clear of drugs. He suggested channeling their energy into sports and positive pursuits instead.

The NCB stands ready to back such local drives, Garg promised. That includes help with prevention campaigns, awareness programs and rehabilitation services. He also the MANAS helpline at 1933 for reporting smugglers or getting addiction support.

Border villages face high risks from cross-border smuggling. Garg’s visit aims to build grassroots alliances in these hotspots. Officials described it as part of a larger NCB push for on-the-ground partnerships.

Just before heading to Punjab, Garg attended the India AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi. There, he examined AI tools to sharpen anti-drug operations. Agency officials got demos on tech for spotting and chasing trafficking rings.

In a follow-up statement, Garg outlined the NCB’s core mission. The bureau leads India’s charge against narcotics and psychotropic substances, he said. Its work spans intelligence, raids, rehab aid and public education.

“We coordinate with central and state forces,” Garg noted. “International ties help seal India’s borders from drug flows.”

Recent gains stem from targeted busts, better teamwork and advanced tech, according to the director general. Yet success hinges on everyone pitching in — cops, communities and citizens alike.

Punjab’s border with Pakistan has long plagued authorities with heroin and synthetic drug inflows. Amritsar sits at the heart of this corridor. Garg’s outreach echoes wider government drives, like Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s anti-drug pledges.

NCB data shows seizures spiking in recent years. Operations nabbed tons of contraband last year alone. Still, officials admit demand-side fixes like community vigilance prove vital.

Garg’s trip highlights New Delhi’s focus on Punjab. State police and federal agencies ramped up joint patrols after a surge in overdose deaths. Local sarpanches influence tight-knit rural networks, making their buy-in crucial.

One village head, speaking anonymously, welcomed the pitch. “Drugs ruin our kids,” he said. “NCB support could turn the tide.” Others voiced skepticism over past unkept promises.

The MANAS line, launched recently, logs thousands of tips monthly. Callers flag peddlers or seek de-addiction referrals. Garg hopes border elders spread the word fast.

Back in Delhi, NCB teams integrate AI into surveillance. Drones, data analytics and pattern recognition now hunt hidden labs and routes. Summit briefings highlighted real-time tracking potential.

Garg wrapped up by renewing his pledge. “No corner of society escapes our watch,” he declared. The agency eyes total eradication through unified action.