How did Punjab Police dismantle a cross-border smuggling operation and seize 15.7 kg of heroin?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Punjab Police successfully seized 15.7 kg of heroin.
- Operation led to the arrest of Sonu Singh.
- Investigation linked to a network operating from Pakistan.
- Authorities anticipate further arrests.
- Related operations highlight ongoing drug and arms trafficking issues.
Chandigarh, Sep 14 (NationPress) In a rapid intelligence-driven initiative, the Punjab Police has successfully thwarted a cross-border drug trafficking attempt by apprehending an individual and seizing 15.7 kg of heroin from him, as stated by Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav on Sunday.
The arrested individual has been named as Sonu Singh, who hails from Habibwala in Ferozepur.
Interestingly, the accused has no prior criminal history.
DGP Yadav noted that initial investigations suggest that the drug network is managed by an individual currently incarcerated in Kapurthala Jail, with the shipment reportedly originating from smugglers based in Pakistan.
Further investigations are underway to uncover the full extent of this network, as revealed by DGP Yadav.
Detailing the operation, Senior Superintendent of Police (Ferozepur) Bhupinder Singh Sidhu mentioned that police received intelligence indicating that suspect Sonu Singh had obtained a heroin shipment.
In response, police teams, led by Superintendent of Police Manjeet Singh and Deputy Superintendent of Police Barjinder Singh, executed a swift intelligence-based operation, apprehending the suspect in Dulchi Ke village.
Sidhu indicated that more arrests and seizures could occur in the coming days.
In a related operation last week, the Counter Intelligence team of Amritsar dismantled a cross-border arms and narcotics trafficking module linked to Pakistan, leading to the arrest of five operatives and the recovery of six high-end pistols, one kg of heroin, and Rs 6 lakh in drug proceeds.
The arrested individuals have been identified as Jaskaran Singh, Amritpal Singh, Gurwinder Singh, Amandeep Singh, and Harkeerat Singh.
The recovered firearms include two 9mm Glock pistols along with magazines, two .30 bore Px5 pistols with magazines, and two .30 bore Star Mark pistols with magazines.
DGP Yadav stated that preliminary findings indicate the accused were following orders from Pakistan-based smugglers, who have been utilizing drones to deliver consignments of illicit weapons and narcotics across the border.
The apprehended individuals were allegedly supplying arms to criminals and gangsters to further escalate criminal activities within the state.