Initial News Report:

According to multiple police reports that surfaced on a Friday, a drone met its demise in the Halloki area, which falls under the jurisdiction of Lahore’s Kahna town. The specific location of the crash was identified as Rasoolpura village. Upon inspection, the drone was discovered to be carrying a substantial payload of narcotics, specifically six kilograms of heroin. The street value of this quantity of heroin was estimated to be in the millions of rupees. The unfortunate landing occurred in a field that was owned by a local landlord identified as Rozdar. The incident was officially confirmed by Abdul Wahid, the Kahna Station House Officer (SHO).

Following the crash, a number of locals congregated at the site where the drone had fallen, prompting the authorities to be notified. Subsequently, the police arrived at the scene and took custody of both the crashed drone and the significant quantity of drugs it was transporting. Given the nature of the cargo, the police then handed over both the drone and the seized narcotics to the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) for a more in-depth investigation. The primary focus of the ANF’s investigation was to ascertain the precise origin of the drone and its intended destination. Initial observations at the crash site indicated that the drone was notably larger in size compared to typical drones encountered in the area. Here is the link to confirm the above details:

https://nepalnews.com/s/global/pakistan-drone-carrying-drugs-crashes-in-lahore

The heroin was packed in yellow-colored packets:

Watch the video of drone at:

https://www.brecorder.com/news/40251481/drone-carrying-6kgs-of-heroin-crashes-in-lahore

Date of Incident:

While the initial user query referenced a Friday in April 2025, the consistent information derived from the available news reports indicates that the drone crash occurred on July 7, 2023. Several snippets mentioned dates in April 2025, but these referred to separate incidents of drone activity or unrelated news events. For instance, one report detailed the seizure of heroin and a drone by the Border Security Force (BSF) and Punjab Police near the India-Pakistan border in April 2025, which is distinct from the Lahore incident. Another snippet mentioned BSF recovering Pakistani drones in Punjab in April 2025. Given the overwhelming evidence pointing to July 7, 2023, as the date of the Lahore crash, this report will proceed based on that timeframe. The discrepancy in dates underscores a fundamental aspect of digital forensics: the critical need to cross-reference information from multiple sources to establish accuracy and identify potential errors or unrelated events.

Drone Size and Description:

A recurring detail across numerous news reports describing the drone that crashed in Halloki is its “larger than usual” size. This descriptor suggests that the drone was not a standard consumer-grade model, but likely a more substantial aircraft capable of carrying a significant payload, such as the six kilograms of heroin found onboard. The unusual size would have likely made it more conspicuous and potentially less maneuverable than smaller drones, which could be a contributing factor to its crash.

Potential Model Identification:

While most reports provided a general description of the drone’s size, one news outlet, The Friday Times, offered a specific identification, stating that the crashed drone was a FoxTech GAIA 190-MP Heavy Lift Drone. This identification is significant as it allows for a deeper exploration of the drone’s technical specifications and capabilities. It is important to note that this specific model identification was not corroborated by all the provided sources, suggesting it might be based on preliminary findings or specific reporting by that particular media outlet. Nevertheless, this provides a crucial starting point for understanding the type of drone involved in the drug smuggling operation. Here is the link that specified about the model:

https://thefridaytimes.com/07-Jul-2023/video-drone-carrying-narcotics-worth-millions-of-rupees-crashes-in-lahore

Technical Specifications of the FoxTech GAIA 190-MP Drone:

Based on the identification provided by The Friday Times, the FoxTech GAIA 190-MP Heavy Lift Drone possesses several technical specifications that are pertinent to this incident. These specifications, derived from the research material, offer insights into the drone’s capabilities, which align with its use in transporting a substantial quantity of narcotics.

Specifications from Research Material:

The FoxTech GAIA 190-MP is reported to have a flight time of up to 45 minutes and a speed of 10 meters per second. It is a hexacopter, meaning it is equipped with six propellers, which provides significant lift capacity, allowing it to carry a payload of up to 35 kilograms. Notably, this drone is designed to operate even in adverse weather conditions such as rain and heavy dust, indicating a robust build quality. The estimated cost of a single unit is over $7500, suggesting it is a professional-grade drone rather than a consumer model. Further technical details indicate that the drone has a wheelbase of either 1900mm or 1925mm, and the frame itself weighs 5.1kg without the landing gear. The maximum take-off weight is reported as either 50kg or 60kg, and it is powered by a Max T-MOTOR U13 motor, utilizing a propeller up to 34 inches in size. The drone features a closed fuselage structure, enhancing its resistance to rain, and is equipped with a dual folding landing gear system.

Table of Specifications:

Drone Technology and Components:

The FoxTech GAIA 190-MP, being a heavy-lift drone intended for professional applications, likely incorporates several advanced technologies and components to ensure stable flight, payload management, and potentially autonomous operation. Understanding these technologies is crucial for a comprehensive digital forensics’ investigation.

While specific technologies are not detailed, drones used in smuggling typically include:

GPS Navigation: Enables precise route planning and autonomous flight, critical for cross-border operations.

Remote Control: Allows operators to manage the drone from a distance, often via radio controllers.

Autonomous Flight: Pre-programmed routes reduce the need for constant operator input, as seen in smuggling cases (Smithsonian).

Payload Release Mechanisms: Systems to drop packages, like the heroin packets in this case.

Possible Stealth Features: Low-altitude flight or encrypted communications to avoid detection, though speculative for this incident.

Crash Location Analysis:

The location where the drug-laden drone crashed provides important contextual information that can aid in understanding the smuggling operation.

Halloki Area of Lahore:

The drone crashed in the Halloki area, which is situated within Kahna town in Lahore. More specifically, the incident occurred in Rasoolpura village, which is part of the Halloki region. Notably, the Halloki area is located in close proximity to the India-Pakistan border, making it a geographically strategic location for cross-border smuggling activities. Additionally, Halloki is situated near the Lahore Ring Road, which could facilitate the movement of individuals or goods to and from the area. It is also identified as part of DHA Phase 11 – Halloki Gardens, a significant real estate development in Lahore, suggesting a mix of residential and potentially agricultural or undeveloped land within the vicinity.

Rasoolpura Village:

The drone’s final resting place was a field within Rasoolpura village. This field was owned by a landlord named Rozdar. The fact that the drone crashed in a field, rather than a more populated or built-up area, might indicate a planned drop-off location chosen to minimize the risk of immediate detection or harm to civilians. The proximity to the border strongly implies that the heroin was likely being smuggled into Pakistan from India, or vice versa, using the drone as the transport mechanism. The location within a real estate development area, potentially on the outskirts or in a less developed section, could have been selected as a relatively secluded point for either receiving or dispatching the illicit cargo.

Approximate Distance between Rasoolpura and Border:

I gave these latitude and longitudes to Grok to calculate the approximate distance:

Time of Flight:

Since this model of drone covers 10 meters per second and the approximate distance between two Rasoolpura and India Border is 25.85 KM. So I quried Grok to calculate the time required to cover this distance at this speed and the result is approximate of 43 minutes which is close to the flight time of this model of drone.

Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF):

In Pakistan, the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) serves as the primary law enforcement agency tasked with combating drug-related crimes, which now includes the growing challenge of drone-based drug trafficking. In the case of the drone crash in Lahore, the local police, recognizing the gravity of the situation and the nature of the recovered cargo, promptly handed over both the drone and the seized heroin to the ANF for a more specialized and thorough investigation. Over the past year, the ANF has reported numerous successful operations, resulting in the seizure of substantial quantities of various drugs and the arrest of a significant number of individuals involved in drug smuggling, highlighting their ongoing efforts to combat this pervasive issue.

Potential Digital Evidence:

A thorough forensic examination of the crashed drone and any associated devices could uncover a wealth of digital evidence. This might include flight logs that record detailed GPS coordinates, altitude, speed, timestamps, and the complete flight path taken by the drone. Data from the drone’s controller, if recovered, could provide command logs and transmission data, potentially revealing the operator’s actions and inputs. If the drone was equipped with a mechanism for remotely releasing the drugs, there might be specific payload control information stored within the system. In cases where the drone was connected to the internet or a mobile application, user profiles, account details, and logs of connected devices could be accessible through cloud forensics. The drone’s firmware and update history might also be retrievable, providing insights into its operational software and any modifications that may have been made. While less likely in a dedicated smuggling operation, the drone might have also stored media files such as photos or videos, which could capture the drop-off location or other relevant details.

Investigation Context:

The drone and drugs were handed over to the ANF for further investigation, as reported by The Express Tribune. The ANF is examining the drone’s flight logs, operator details, and intended destination. The crash site’s proximity to the India-Pakistan border raises suspicions of cross-border smuggling, a recurring issue in the region. For instance, a similar incident in Narowal earlier in 2023 involved five suspects arrested for drone-based heroin smuggling, with police recovering a control device, eight batteries, and weapons (Dawn).

A later incident in August 2023, where a drone with 10 kg of heroin was seized in Lahore, suggests ongoing smuggling activities, with drugs reportedly destined for India (India Today). These cases highlight the use of drones as a preferred method for smuggling due to their speed and ability to bypass ground security.

Digital Forensic Considerations:

As a cybersecurity student studying CHFI, you may focus on the following forensic aspects when investigating such a drone:

Flight Logs: Extract GPS data to trace the drone’s origin, route, and destination. Tools like Mission Planner or proprietary software for DJI drones can analyze logs.

Communication Analysis: Examine radio signals or control device data to identify the operator’s location or communication methods (e.g., encrypted channels).

Payload Analysis: Investigate the packaging and attachment mechanism to understand the drone’s modification for smuggling.

Firmware and Software: Analyze the drone’s firmware for custom modifications or autonomous flight programming, which may indicate sophisticated smuggling operations.

Physical Evidence: Inspect the drone for serial numbers, manufacturer details, or modifications to identify its source or model.