Cross-border smuggling cartel busted; three held with 4.5 kg heroin

The Amritsar Commissionerate Police have busted an international drug cartel with the arrest of three smugglers, leading to the recovery of 4.5 kg of heroin and a .30 bore pistol.

The arrested have been identified as Gurwinder Singh, alias Gopi (23), of Shahwala village in Ferozepur; Tilak, alias Shibu (18), a native of Rajiv Gandhi Vihar, Jalandhar, presently residing in Mustafabad, Amritsar; and Daljit Singh, alias Lala (20), a resident of Naushera Dhalla village, currently living in Mustafabad.

Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav said preliminary investigations indicate that the accused were in contact with a foreign-based handler through social media platforms and were transporting and supplying heroin and illegal arms under his directions.

Sharing operational details, Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar said Gurwinder Singh was first apprehended with 1.5 kg of heroin and a .30 bore pistol. During interrogation, he disclosed the involvement of two accomplices, leading to the arrests of Tilak and Daljit Singh and the recovery of an additional 3 kg of heroin from their possession.

“Investigations revealed that Gurwinder Singh, residing near the International Border in Ferozepur, was actively involved in receiving drug consignments via drone drops,” he said, adding that Gurwinder was reportedly coordinating directly with a foreign-based smuggler to procure heroin and other illegal consignments.

The police said further investigation is underway to establish the forward and backward linkages in the case and to identify other persons involved in the smuggling network.

A case has been registered under the NDPS Act and the Arms Act at the Gate Hakima police station.