How was nearly 20 kg of heroin smuggled from Pakistan seized in Punjab?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- 20 kg of heroin seized in Punjab.
- Four suspects arrested in connection with the smuggling.
- The operation involved the Punjab Police and the BSF.
- Investigation ongoing to trace cross-border drug networks.
- Heroin was recovered from agricultural fields near Bhindi Aulakh village.
Chandigarh, Jan 6 (NationPress) In a significant blow to cross-border drug trafficking, the Anti-Narcotics Task Force (Border Range) of the Punjab Police, in collaboration with the Border Security Force (BSF), has successfully seized approximately 20 kg of heroin and arrested four suspects, including a pivotal figure orchestrating the supply chain, stated Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav on Tuesday.
The detained individuals have been identified as Sahibjit Singh, known as Sahib, and Rajwinder Singh, known as Golu, both from Old Naraingarh in Amritsar; Ashu Sharma, known as Ashu, a Chheharta resident in Amritsar; and a 17-year-old juvenile from Amritsar.
In addition to the heroin seizure, law enforcement has also confiscated a car and two motorcycles linked to the suspects.
DGP Yadav revealed that initial investigations indicate the arrested individuals are connected to handlers based in Pakistan and were responsible for overseeing the delivery and distribution of drug shipments across the area.
Ongoing investigations aim to uncover the identities of cross-border handlers, track supply routes, and dismantle the entire operation, he noted.
Elaborating on the operation, Anti-Narcotics Task Force Superintendent of Police Gurpreet Singh mentioned that acting on a tip-off regarding the suspects who were approaching the border to collect a heroin consignment smuggled via drone, a combined team from the task force and BSF set up a checkpoint at a strategic site and successfully intercepted the four suspects along with a vehicle implicated in the crime.
The SP added that following disclosures from the arrested suspects, a coordinated search operation was executed in Ghogga, under the jurisdiction of the police station in Bhindi Saidan, Amritsar district.
During the search, authorities recovered 19.980 kg of heroin, neatly packed in five packets, from agricultural fields near Bhindi Aulakh village. A First Information Report dated January 6 has been filed under pertinent sections of the NDPS Act at the Mohali police station.