Cops confiscate 23 kg of heroin, prime suspect still absconding

The Amritsar rural police are still clueless about prime accused Sahilpreet Singh, alias Karan, of Devidaspura village in the 23-kg heroin seizure case that was reported on Wednesday.

He was the second step of the drug chain as he used to store the drugs smuggled from Pakistan via drones and further supply to drug peddlers on the instruction of his foreign-based masters. He was a member of the drug cartel being operated by US-based smuggler Jasmit Singh alias Lucky.

The police said many police teams are actively working and raiding his suspected hideouts and that he would be arrested soon.

Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG), Border Range, Satinder Singh along with Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Amritsar Rural, Maninder Singh had revealed that seizure was made following an intelligence based operation. He said the police got a specific input that the he had retrieved the consignment of drugs from across the border.

Acting swiftly, the Jandiala police recovered 23 packets of heroin, weighing 1 kg each, kept in a jute bag from a pinpointed location in Devi Daspura village.

“Sahilpreet was directly in touch with US-based smuggler Jasmit Singh alias Lucky, who arranged the consignment through his Pakistan-based accomplices. He has a criminal background and faced cases registered under sections of the Arms Act and attempt to murder,” said the DIG.

He, however, escaped to a foreign country on forged documents, police sources said, adding that he joined hands with anti-national forces supported by Pakistan’s ISI and started his network with local operatives.

A case under Section 21-C of the NDPS Act has been registered at the Jandiala police station in this regard.

This was the second biggest seizure of heroin in Punjab this year. Earlier on February 15, the rural police had seized 30 kg of heroin from Gursimranjit Singh alias Simran of Basarke Gillan village. This racket was being operated by US-based drug peddler Raju Dhattal, who originally hailed from Gharinda area.