Police clueless on spurt in activities of US-based peddler

PK Jaiswar
Tribune News Service
Amritsar, July 31
Even as foreign-based drugs and weapon smugglers are proving to be a pain in the neck of the Punjab Police, the recent spurt in the activities of US-based Sarwan Singh has only added to its woes.
Sarwan is the brother of drug peddler Ranjit Singh Cheeta, who was the prime suspect in the smuggling of 532 kg of heroin and other narcotics seized by the Customs at the Integrated Check Post at Attari five years ago. He was later arrested in 2020.
Recently, the police had busted several modules of trans-border narco and weapon smuggling being handled by Sarwan. He is also involved in extortion rackets. He has been carrying Rs 2 lakh reward on his head.
On June 22, the police in a joint operation with the central agencies had busted a gang, arresting three persons with six pistols along with 200 gm heroin. The three accused, Karanjit Singh of Khalra in Tarn Taran, Akash Seth and Sukhdeep Singh of Rajasansi, were directly in touch with Sarwan, who was supplying drugs and weapons to them. Later, during interrogation of Akash and Sukhdeep, the police had confiscated Rs 3.4 lakh drug money and gold jewellery.
Similarly, in October last year the state special operation cell had seized 12kg heroin from Sarwan’s accomplice. Drones were used for transporting the drugs in Punjab through international border.
Amritsar rural belt also witnessed two instances this month in which aides of Sarwan had indulged in firing and demanded extortion from a doctor and a rice sheller owner. Though the police arrested one person in this connection, it was yet to arrest his accomplices.
A DSP-rank official wishing anonymity said Sarwan had over 12 cases of cross-border smuggling and firing. He had managed to slip away to the USA a couple of years back.
“Investigations revealed that he had been recruiting youth in the area, assuring them good financial returns,” he said.
Satinder Singh, Amritsar Rural police chief said efforts were on to find out how he managed to escape from the country, despite the fact that he had a number of criminal cases against him. Work was also in progress for his deportation from the USA.

Also involved in smuggling of weapons

Sarwan Singh, the US-based drug peddler, is the brother of drug peddler Ranjit Singh Cheeta, who was the prime suspect in the smuggling of 532 kg of heroin and other narcotics seized by the Customs at the Integrated Check Post at Attari five years ago. He was later arrested in 2020. Recently, the police had busted several modules of trans-border narco and weapon smuggling being handled by Sarwan. He is also involved in extortion rackets.