Amritsar police bust 3 drug, arms networks; 5 held, heroin, pistols seized

The Amritsar Commissionerate Police has busted three illegal arms and drug trafficking networks with the arrest of five accused and the seizure of nine illegal pistols and 6.311 kg of heroin, officials said on Monday.

Preliminary investigation has revealed that the accused were allegedly in contact with foreign-based handlers and were receiving consignments of illegal arms and drugs before supplying them to others as directed by their handlers.

Three separate FIRs have been registered at the Cantonment and Chheharta police stations in Amritsar in connection with the cases.

Police said the investigation is being expanded to establish the networks' complete forward and backward linkages. Efforts are also underway to identify other persons involved in the illegal trade and trace the source and intended recipients of the seized arms and narcotics.

Punjab Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav said the recovery of nine pistols and more than six kg of heroin points to the involvement of organised trafficking networks operating across state and international borders.

Investigators are also examining the possible role of foreign-based handlers and their local associates to determine the wider network and the extent of the accused persons’ involvement.

Further investigation is in progress, and police said more arrests and recoveries cannot be ruled out.