Interstate opium supply network busted, two nabbed

The Amritsar police commissionerate has busted an interstate opium supply network with the arrest of two traffickers and seizure of a substantial quantity of contraband.

Acting on a secret information, a police team laid a naka near the Golden Gate, Amritsar, and intercepted a vehicle on Saturday.

During the operation, the police arrested Harwinder Singh, alias Harry, and Ranjit Singh, alias Rana, both residents of Amritsar (Rural), who were allegedly bringing consignments of opium from Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, for further distribution in Punjab.

From their possession, the police recovered 12 kg of opium, a vehicle, and Rs 6,000 in drug money. An FIR under Sections 18 and 29 of the NDPS Act has been registered at the Maqboolpura police station.

Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar said Harwinder Singh, alias Harry, has been active in the narcotics trade since 2022. His brother Gurpreet Singh is already facing trial in another case where 7 kg of opium was recovered earlier. Harwinder himself has a previous accident case registered against him. Ranjit Singh, on the other hand, has no prior criminal record and holds a diploma in civil engineering but had been working in agriculture.

The police said further investigation is underway to trace the supply chain and identify other members of the network.