Punjab: Cross-border drug smuggling module busted; two held, 64.62 kg heroin seized

Chandigarh, April 18 In a major blow to narco-terror networks, Punjab Police’s State Special Operations Cell (SSOC) Amritsar unit of Counter Intelligence wing has busted a cross-border drug smuggling module by arresting two accused, said Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav here on Saturday.

The police also recovered 64.62 kg of heroin from their possession.

Those arrested have been identified as Sarwan Singh, alias Gujjar, a resident of Awan Wasau village in Amritsar, and Shamsher Singh, alias Shera, a resident of Dial Rangar village in Amritsar.

Apart from recovering the big haul of heroin, the police team has also impounded their car, which they were using to smuggle narcotics.

DGP Yadav said that preliminary investigation has revealed links of this module with Pakistan-based smugglers and a Portugal-based handler. “The links of this cross-border trafficking ring are also established with a network of notorious Pakistan-based smuggler Moosa, whose name had cropped up in the 532-kg heroin recovery case,” he said.

Pertinently, Indian Customs officials had made the largest recovery of 532 kg of heroin at the Integrated Check Post (ICP) Attari in 2019.

The DGP said that further investigation is underway to establish linkages in this case to trace the entire network.

Sharing operational details, AIG (Amritsar) Sukhminder Singh Mann said that a reliable input was received regarding suspects Sarwan Singh and Shamsher Singh having retrieved consignment of heroin delivered through drone from across the border a few days back. He said that the input further revealed that, on the instructions of their handlers, the duo were en route to deliver the consignment to another party.

Acting swiftly, the Amritsar unit team intercepted them near the Mahal bypass in Amritsar, and recovered 64.62 kg of heroin from their possession, he added.

The AIG said that the arrested accused were promised huge payback by their handlers.

More arrests and recoveries are likely in the coming days as the investigation progresses.

A case under Sections 21, 25 and 29 of the NDPS Act and Sections 25, 26, 27, 28 and 29 of the Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam has been registered in Amritsar.

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