Have Five Individuals Been Arrested with Heroin Worth Rs 12 Cr and a Turkey-Made Zigana Pistol?

Jaipur, May 20 (NationPress) The Rajasthan Police successfully dismantled an international drug and arms smuggling operation in Sri Ganganagar on Tuesday.

In two distinct operations conducted by the Kotwali and Jawaharnagar police stations, five suspects were apprehended. Authorities confiscated 2.183 kg of heroin, valued at approximately Rs 12 crore in the international market, alongside a Turkish Zigana pistol, six Austrian Glock pistols, 13 magazines, and 32 live cartridges—all prohibited for civilian ownership in India.

As per DIG Gaurav Yadav, preliminary investigations indicate a potential connection to the infamous Lawrence Bishnoi gang. Ongoing inquiries aim to trace the origins of these foreign weapons and narcotics, which are suspected to have been smuggled from Amritsar and Malout in Punjab.

"The suspects were on the verge of distributing significant quantities of heroin and illegal weapons in Sri Ganganagar. This operation thwarted what could have escalated into a major crime,” stated DIG Yadav.

Typically, heroin is smuggled into this region directly via the Pakistan border. However, following Operation Sindoor and heightened border security, smugglers now appear to have altered their routes. This operation marks potentially the first significant attempt to transport such a large consignment by road from Punjab to Sri Ganganagar, showcasing a shift in smuggling tactics. The police also seized a Swift car and a motorcycle utilized by the gang.

During their interrogation, the suspects disclosed critical leads, hinting at a broader international smuggling network. DIG Gaurav Yadav confirmed that the arrests were made during targeted raids in the Jawaharnagar and Kotwali police station jurisdictions.

Kotwali Police seized five foreign pistols (Glocks), 330 grams of heroin, 29 live cartridges, and a Swift car. The apprehended individuals include Devendra Bhambhu (29), Subhash alias Omprakash (21), and Gurmeet Singh—all residents of Sri Ganganagar. Jawaharnagar Police confiscated two Glock pistols, three live cartridges, 1.850 kg of heroin, and a motorcycle. DIG Yadav stressed that the recovery of foreign-made automatic weapons from the accused suggests their intent to commit a serious criminal act.

All suspects are currently undergoing interrogation to reveal the complete scope of the smuggling network, including any potential connections to Pakistan. Constable Ashwini of the District Special Team played a vital role in tracking the gang, whose vigilance enabled the police to intercept the smugglers before they could carry out their plan.

Police have ramped up patrols in sensitive areas and pledged strict measures against anyone involved in cross-border trafficking of drugs or weapons. The case has also been forwarded to the Joint Interrogation Centre (JIC) for a more in-depth investigation, according to officials.