Synopsis
In a significant operation, Punjab Police arrested Shehnaz Singh, aka Shawn Bhinder, an Indian-origin drug lord on the FBI's wanted list. He was involved in international drug trafficking and had escaped to India after a major bust in the US. This arrest highlights the ongoing battle against global drug syndicates.Key Takeaways
- Punjab Police arrested an international drug lord.
- Shehnaz Singh, aka Shawn Bhinder, was wanted by the FBI.
- He was involved in smuggling cocaine from Colombia.
- Six of his associates were previously apprehended in the US.
- Authorities discovered significant drug shipments being transported.
Chandigarh, March 10 (NationPress) In a significant achievement, the Punjab Police have apprehended Shehnaz Singh, also recognized as Shawn Bhinder, an Indian-origin global drug kingpin sought by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), as stated by Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav on Monday.
The suspect hails from Mandiala village in the Batala district and had been residing in Brampton, Canada. He was pursued by the FBI in connection with one of the largest drug busts in the US conducted on February 26. The FBI had detained six of his accomplices in the US and confiscated 391 kg of methamphetamine, 109 kg of cocaine, along with four advanced weapons and vehicles.
The six individuals previously detained by the FBI include Amritpal Singh (alias Amrit), his namesake alias Cheema, Taqdeer Singh, Sarabjit Singh Saabi, Fernando Valladares (alias Franco), and Gurlal Singh.
DGP Yadav indicated that the accused, Shawn Bhinder, was a pivotal figure in a worldwide narcotics operation, smuggling cocaine from Colombia into the US and Canada.
Following the FBI's crackdown, Shawn Bhinder successfully evaded capture and secretly returned to India, as the DGP noted, adding that the Punjab Police effectively tracked and captured him within the Ludhiana jurisdiction.
The DGP mentioned that the suspect was also implicated in an Arms Act case registered in December 2024, where the Tarn Taran Police arrested five members associated with the infamous Jaggu Bhagwanpuria and Amritpal Batth gangs, leading to the recovery of a considerable stash of arms and ammunition.
Deputy Inspector General of Police (Ferozepur Range) Swapan Sharma, alongside Senior Superintendent of Police (Tarn Taran) Abhimanyu Rana, stated that initial investigations indicate that the accused, Shawn Bhinder, played a crucial role in transporting substantial drug shipments across international borders utilizing trucks and trailers.
During interrogation, it was discovered that Bhinder, under the pretense of a legitimate transportation business in Canada since 2014, allegedly orchestrated the drug movement from Colombia to the US and Canada via Mexico.
Further investigations have unveiled that Bhinder and his associates were moving approximately 600 kg of cocaine from Colombia weekly.
SSP Abhimanyu Rana stated that the captured suspect’s network is believed to be connected with notorious drug traffickers, including Amritpal Singh, alias Baath, and Gurjant Singh Bholu Havelia.
