The Amritsar police commissionerate has successfully dismantled a cross-border illegal arms, drug, and hawala network with the arrest of six individuals, including an Afghan national and two juveniles. The operation led to the seizure of over 1 kilogram of heroin, five sophisticated pistols, and Rs 5 lakh in drug money.
Details of the Arrests
Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar confirmed that the arrested individuals have been identified as Baz Mohammad (62), a resident of Afghanistan who had been living in Sonipat, Haryana, and recently moved to Lajpat Nagar in New Delhi; Ankush Barthwal (33), from Nawanshahr; Des Raj alias Vicky (32), from Jalandhar; Rajandeep Singh alias Raja (26), originally from Lopoke and currently residing in Sunny Enclave, Amritsar; and two juveniles. Commissioner Bhullar noted that Baz Mohammad, Ankush Barthwal, and Des Raj alias Vicky are habitual offenders with prior criminal records.
Seized Weapons and Narcotics
The recovered arms include three 9mm Glock pistols (manufactured in Austria), one .30 bore Zigana pistol, and one .30 bore pistol, along with two live cartridges. The police stated that preliminary investigations reveal the arrested accused, in collusion with their foreign-based associates, were procuring consignments of illegal arms and narcotics through contacts established via various social media platforms. They were distributing these items under the directions of their overseas handlers. The network was actively operating in the Majha and Doaba regions of Punjab.
Legal Action
A First Information Report (FIR) has been registered under Sections 25 (6,7,8) of the Arms Act and Sections 21-C and 29 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. The police are continuing their investigation to uncover further links and apprehend other members of the network.
The successful bust is a significant blow to cross-border crime syndicates operating in the region, highlighting the effectiveness of coordinated police efforts in combating illegal activities.
