Amritsar police have dismantled a cross-border drug smuggling cartel with the arrest of two persons, including a juvenile, and the seizure of 8.378 kg of heroin and Rs 2 lakh in suspected drug proceeds. The operation, led by Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar, uncovered a network operated by Pakistan-based smugglers who used drones to deliver narcotics across the International Border.
Arrests and Initial Recovery
The accused were identified as Lovepreet Singh, alias Love (28), a resident of Khasa village in Amritsar rural, and a juvenile. They were arrested based on intelligence gathered during investigations into two separate cases registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act at the Chheharta and Islamabad police stations. Police teams first apprehended Lovepreet and the juvenile, recovering 2 kg of heroin from their possession.
Further Seizures and Investigation
During sustained interrogation, the juvenile disclosed details that led to the recovery of an additional 3.01 kg of heroin and Rs 2 lakh in cash, believed to be proceeds from drug trafficking. This brought the total recovery from the initial arrests to 5.01 kg. Further investigation revealed another cross-border smuggling module operated by the same Pakistan-based handler. Acting on fresh intelligence, police conducted a targeted operation and recovered an additional 3.368 kg of heroin, bringing the total seizure to 8.378 kg.
Modus Operandi and Network
Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar stated that the investigation showed the accused were in direct contact with Pakistan-based smugglers, who allegedly used drones to smuggle narcotics consignments across the International Border. The accused collected the consignments and distributed them to various locations across Punjab. The police noted that the accused were independently linked to the Pakistan-based smugglers through separate channels while remaining in contact with each other as part of a wider narcotics supply chain. Both are residents of villages close to the International Border, indicating their role in facilitating cross-border drug trafficking.
Ongoing Efforts
The police have identified and nominated two more accused in the case. Efforts are underway to arrest them and dismantle the entire cross-border smuggling network, said the Police Commissioner. Separate cases under the NDPS Act have been registered, and further investigation is in progress.
