Punjab Police Cracks Down on International Drug Syndicate in Major Operation
The Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) of the Punjab Police has successfully dismantled a sophisticated international narcotics network that was operating extensively across the Tricity region, which includes Chandigarh, Mohali, and Panchkula, as well as Ludhiana. In a coordinated series of raids, authorities arrested six key drug peddlers and confiscated a substantial quantity of high-potency drugs along with a significant amount of cash, marking a critical blow to organized crime in the area.
Unprecedented Seizure of Narcotics and Arrests
During the operation, police recovered an extensive array of illicit substances, including 1,215 MDMA tablets, 263 grams of cocaine, 82 grams of methamphetamine (commonly known as ICE), 1.2 kilograms of various THC variants, 16 grams of magic mushrooms, and 400 grams of opium. Additionally, officers seized Rs 9 lakh in drug money, underscoring the financial scale of the network. The arrested individuals have been identified as Rishav, Mukesh Kumar, Lakhwinder Singh, Ravi Kumar, Baljinder Singh, and Talwinder Singh.
Key Operatives and Distribution Channels Exposed
Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav stated that the six arrested suspects were pivotal operatives allegedly involved in supplying foreign-origin party drugs, specifically targeting young people. He emphasized that the scale of the seizure is unprecedented, describing it as one of the largest MDMA tablet recoveries ever recorded in the country. Preliminary investigations indicate that the syndicate sourced narcotics from abroad through air courier channels and utilized encrypted social media platforms to coordinate distribution and evade law enforcement detection.
Intelligence-Led Raids and Broader Network Uncovered
Assistant Inspector General (AIG) of the ANTF, Ashwini Gotyal, revealed that the operation was initiated based on specific human intelligence inputs. These inputs suggested that a drug supplier named Rishav was operating from an apartment in Kharar and allegedly distributing narcotics within club and party circuits in the Tricity area. Acting swiftly on this information, police conducted a raid at the apartment, arresting Rishav and recovering 1,215 MDMA tablets, 155 grams of cocaine, 82 grams of ICE, 10 variants of THC weighing 973 grams, 16 grams of magic mushrooms, 400 grams of opium, and Rs 3 lakh in drug money from his possession.
Further investigation led the ANTF to uncover a broader distribution module based in Ludhiana, which served as a crucial supply and redistribution hub for the Tricity region. Coordinated raids were subsequently carried out, resulting in the arrests of Mukesh Kumar, Lakhwinder Singh, Ravi Kumar, Baljinder Singh, and Talwinder Singh. From these individuals, police recovered 108 grams of cocaine, 278 grams of THC, and Rs 6 lakh in cash.
Legal Action and Ongoing Investigations
A case has been formally registered against all the accused under relevant sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. Police authorities are continuing their investigation to trace both backward and forward linkages, aiming to identify other associates connected to this extensive network and dismantle it completely.
