4 kg of heroin seized, two arrested

In a major blow to cross-border drug syndicates, the Counter Intelligence wing of Punjab Police arrested two alleged cross-border drug smugglers and recovered 4 kg of heroin from their possession.

The consignment had been dropped by a drone on the directions of Pakistan-based handler Rana King, said the police authorities.

Those arrested have been identified as Akashdeep Singh alias Tony of Attari and Pawanbir Singh of Basarke Bhaini, here. Police also seized their Hero Splendor motorcycle that was being used to ferry the contraband.

DGP, Punjab, Gaurav Yadav described the arrests as a “significant breakthrough” in the state’s fight against narco-terrorism.

“These men were operating on the direct instructions of their handler in Pakistan. Such modules are the backbone of the drug supply chain that poisons our youth. We are determined to dismantle every link,” Yadav said.

According to police, the Counter Intelligence wing in Amritsar had received inputs about the movement of a narcotics consignment. A trap was laid on Chheharta-San Sahib Road near Mannu Hospital, where the two suspects were intercepted while going to deliver the consignment.

Officials said that investigators are now working to trace both forward and backward linkages of the network.

“We suspect a wider racket involving local receivers and cross-border facilitators. More arrests and recoveries are imminent,” a senior Counter Intelligence wing official said.

A case under Sections 21, 25 and 29 of the NDPS Act was registered in this regard at the State Special Operation Cell (SSOC), Amritsar.