Major Drug Bust in Barmer Uncovers International Smuggling Network
In a significant breakthrough, Rajasthan police have arrested two alleged drug traffickers in Barmer and exposed a highly secretive international smuggling network operating across the Pakistan border. The arrested individuals, identified as Salman Khan and Shankar Ram, were caught with 5 kilograms of methamphetamine, valued at approximately Rs 25 crore.
Network Operations and Sophisticated Methods
During interrogation, the accused revealed that the cross-border operations extend beyond narcotics trafficking to include large-scale smuggling of explosives and illegal weapons. According to police, the network employed a sophisticated "dead drop" system for drug deliveries. A Pakistan-based handler, identified as Masad from Neemla village, would send Google Maps coordinates via WhatsApp calls to Salman, directing him to locations near the border or under isolated trees where drug consignments were buried.
After collecting the packets, payments were either hidden as cash at secret locations or transferred in instalments to Salman's Airtel Payments Bank account. Police noted that Salman had previously received payments buried underground for similar deliveries. The latest consignment, consisting of five packets, was recovered on April 4 from a spot about 250 metres from the border, buried in a plastic sack beneath a tree.
Coordinated Police Raids and Tense Situations
Following these revelations, the Rajasthan Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), the Anti-Gangster Task Force, Barmer Police, and intelligence agencies were placed on high alert. Coordinated raids were conducted at the residences of suspected smugglers across multiple locations, including Gadraroad, Ramsar, Sedwa, Bijrad, and Bakhasar. Several suspects have been detained, and around a dozen people are currently being questioned.
On Tuesday, police teams carried out a raid in Khalife Ki Bavdi village. When officers reached the house of Roshan Khan Khalifa, women from the household protested, leading to a tense situation with heavy police presence. After nearly six hours, Barmer SP Choonaram Jat arrived to oversee the operation. The accused later reached Ramsar Police Station in his own vehicle under police escort, where he was detained and questioned.
Network History and Secrecy Measures
Further investigation revealed that the handler has been operating in border areas such as Bhabhutiyon Ki Dhani and nearby villages for the past five to six years. The network operated with extreme secrecy, with members having no direct contact and deleting chats and locations after each operation. Police are now analysing Salman's WhatsApp chats and bank transactions, and are searching for his associate Rahim Khan, who reportedly facilitated the link with the handler and is related to him.
Broader Implications and Ongoing Investigation
During a press conference, SP Choonaram Jat stated that Salman, a resident of Sajjan Ka Par, had been in direct contact with the Pakistan-based handler for the past six months. Preliminary findings suggest that the activities may not be limited to drug trafficking but could also involve attempts to disrupt regional peace through the smuggling of explosives and weapons.
Joint interrogation by ATS SP Gyan Chand Yadav, Barmer SP Choonaram Jat, and other agencies is underway. Officials believe further arrests and key revelations are likely as the investigation continues, pointing to a deeply rooted international network that poses a significant threat to security in the region.
