Did Punjab Police Uncover a Drug Smuggling Racket Inside Jail?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Punjab Police have dismantled a significant drug smuggling operation.
- Illegal items recovered include mobile phones and drugs.
- Key arrests include a Deputy Superintendent of Police.
- Ongoing investigations may lead to further arrests.
- The police are committed to holding all individuals accountable.
Chandigarh, May 15 (NationPress) In a significant development, Punjab Police have dismantled a sophisticated drug trafficking operation originating from inside the jail, resulting in the apprehension of Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Security Gurpreet Singh, who is stationed at Sangrur Jail, as reported by Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav on Thursday.
“Following credible intelligence, a raid conducted within Sangrur Jail uncovered a cache of 12 mobile phones, four smartwatches, 50 grams of opium, 12 grams of heroin, and various other illicit items. Initial investigations have implicated a Class IV employee, Parshant, whose participation in the smuggling operations has been confirmed,” stated the DGP, while announcing the employee's arrest.
“By tracing the connections, the inquiry further led to the capture of Manpreet Singh, a drug trafficker from Amritsar, who is linked to inmate Gurvinder Singh, currently incarcerated in Sangrur Jail. Police teams have seized 4 kg of heroin, ₹5.5 lakh in drug money, and a 9 mm Glock pistol with two cartridges from Manpreet. The investigation is ongoing, and additional arrests and revelations are anticipated,” DGP Yadav assured, emphasizing that no one, no matter their rank, will escape accountability for illegal actions.
Providing more insights, Senior Superintendent of Police (Sangrur) Sartaj Singh Chahal indicated that initial findings suggest that DSP Gurpreet Singh was actively involved in smuggling drugs and mobile devices into the jail.
He noted that the investigation has uncovered that the accused DSP received ₹40,000 in cash from a relative of inmate Gurchet, as well as ₹26,000 through UPI into his wife's account, to facilitate the entry of 25 grams of heroin and two mobile phones into the correctional facility.
Out of the total 25 grams of heroin, 12 grams were recovered from another inmate named Ravi, who was reportedly distributing the drugs to fellow inmates on the instructions of Gurchet.
The SSP disclosed that a total of 19 individuals have been arrested, including DSP Gurpreet Singh, employee Parshant, drug dealer Manpreet Singh, Banto (the mother of inmate Gurchet), and 15 inmates.