Cross-border heroin smuggling module busted; 5 kg heroin seized

The Counter Intelligence (CI) wing of Punjab Police has busted a cross border narcotics smuggling module and arrested one of its operative with 5 kg of heroin during an operation near the Indo-Pak border.

Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav said the arrested accused has been identified as Kuldeep Singh, a resident of Bhindi Aulakh Kalan in Amritsar (Rural). The police have also seized his bike allegedly being used to transport heroin consignments.

According to the DGP, initial investigations indicate that Kuldeep Singh was working under the directions of a Pakistan-based smuggler, Awan, who has been sending narcotics into India using drones. Intelligence inputs suggested that a major consignment was to be retrieved near Bhindi Aulakh village before being delivered to another contact.

Acting on a tip-off, teams of the CI Amritsar intercepted Kuldeep Singh on the Ajnala-Lopoke road, where he was caught with the heroin consignment.

The DGP said further investigation is in progress to establish the backward and forward linkages of the smuggling network, including other operatives and routes used for drone-based drops.

A case under Sections 21, 25 and 29 of the NDPS Act has been registered at the State Special Operations Cell (SSOC), Amritsar. Police officials said more arrests are likely as the probe deepens, added the DGP.