Punjab heroin bust: Juvenile among 2 arrested, 5 kg more drugs seized
Synopsis
What began as a 30 kg heroin bust in Amritsar has now grown into a multi-layered cross-border drug probe, with a Dubai-based smuggler remotely coordinating drop points and a juvenile among the latest arrested. Total seizures have crossed 35 kg — and investigators say the financial trail and hawala links are still being unravelled.
Key Takeaways
Amritsar Commissionerate Police arrested two more accused — including a juvenile — on 14 June in the 30 kg heroin seizure case .
An additional 5.041 kg of heroin was recovered, bringing the total seizure across connected arrests to over 35 kg .
Arrested accused Abhishek of Chheharta, Amritsar has prior cases under the Arms Act , NDPS Act , and assault-related offences.
A Dubai-based smuggler , wanted in three NDPS cases, allegedly coordinated cross-border consignments by sharing drop locations remotely.
Operative Vanshdeep Singh , found injured in an accident, had 3.035 kg of heroin on his scooter; he was released from Central Jail, Amritsar on bail on 2 February 2025 .
Police are now tracing the financial trail and possible hawala connections linked to the network.
Amritsar Commissionerate Police has arrested two more accused in the 30 kg heroin seizure case — including a juvenile — and recovered an additional 5.041 kg of heroin, Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav announced on Sunday, 14 June. The arrests mark the latest breakthrough in a widening drug network investigation centred on Amritsar.
Who Was Arrested
The newly arrested individuals have been identified as Abhishek, a resident of Chheharta in Amritsar, and one juvenile whose identity is withheld under law. Abhishek carries a significant criminal record, with prior cases registered against him under the Arms Act, the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, and offences related to snatching and assault.
This follows last week's arrest of six individuals — identified as Gautam, Kabir, Sameer, Gurpreet, and two juveniles — after police recovered 30.045 kg of heroin from their possession.
Dubai-Based Smuggler at the Centre
Investigations have revealed that the accused were linked to a Dubai-based smuggler who was allegedly facilitating cross-border heroin supply into India. According to Commissioner of Police (Amritsar) Gurpreet Singh Bhullar, the smuggler — already wanted in three major NDPS cases — would share drop locations with operatives on the ground, who would then retrieve the consignments and distribute them to various recipients.
Notably, the Dubai-based handler reportedly operated remotely, insulating himself from direct physical exposure while coordinating the logistics of the supply chain.
Key Recoveries and Operational Details
Acting on disclosures made by arrested accused Kabir, police recovered an additional 2.006 kg of heroin from his possession and arrested two of his associates. In a separate operation, police received information about an accident involving an operative identified as Vanshdeep Singh, as disclosed by accused Abhishek. Officers reached the scene, took the injured individual to hospital, and during a search of his scooter, recovered 3.035 kg of heroin.
Bhullar confirmed that Vanshdeep Singh had been released on bail from Central Jail, Amritsar on 2 February 2025 and will be formally arrested once declared medically fit.
Investigation Status and Next Steps
Authorities are now working to identify other members of the network, trace the financial trail, and uncover possible hawala connections that may have been used to route proceeds from the drug trade. The scale of the seizure — now exceeding 35 kg of heroin in total across the connected arrests — points to an organised, cross-border operation rather than isolated local trafficking.
With the probe expanding to financial linkages and international handlers, investigators are expected to pursue further arrests in the coming days.
Point of View
Juveniles used as ground-level operatives, and a bail-released accused found carrying narcotics within months of release: each detail points to a system that is exploiting gaps in surveillance and bail oversight simultaneously. The hawala probe is the critical thread. Drug networks of this scale rarely operate without parallel financial infrastructure, and if investigators can crack that layer, the case could reach beyond Amritsar to the handlers and financiers insulated behind international borders.
NationPress
31 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How much heroin has been seized in the Amritsar drug bust so far?
Across connected arrests, police have seized over 35 kg of heroin in total. The initial operation recovered 30.045 kg, and subsequent searches have yielded an additional 5.041 kg.
Who is the Dubai-based smuggler linked to the case?
Investigators have identified a Dubai-based smuggler who allegedly coordinated the supply of heroin consignments across the border by sharing drop locations with ground operatives. He is reportedly wanted in three major NDPS cases, though his identity has not been officially disclosed.
Why was a juvenile arrested in this case?
A juvenile was arrested as part of the drug distribution network operating under the Dubai-based smuggler's coordination. The juvenile's identity is protected under law. This is the second juvenile arrested in the case — two others were detained in the previous round of arrests.
Who is Vanshdeep Singh and what is his role in the case?
Vanshdeep Singh is identified as an operative of the drug module. He was found injured in an accident and had 3.035 kg of heroin on his scooter. He had been released on bail from Central Jail, Amritsar on 2 February 2025 and will be formally arrested once declared medically fit.
What are investigators looking into next?
Police are working to identify further associates, trace the financial trail of the drug network, and uncover possible hawala connections used to route proceeds. The investigation is being led by Amritsar Commissionerate Police under DGP Punjab Gaurav Yadav.
