Tarn Taran councillor skips NCB summon in drug probe

Tarn Taran’s municipal councillor Gurpreet Singh Goldy has failed to appear before the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) here in connection with last month’s seizure of drugs from three persons.

Goldy, who had earlier joined the probe last month, was issued a third summon by the Central agency to appear on Wednesday. According to sources, if he continues to evade questioning, the agency may move court to arrest him.

NCB sources revealed that during the probe into Goldy’s role, the names of a sitting MLA and a former MLA, now with the Aam Aadmi Party from Tarn Taran, have surfaced.

“Goldy has been closely associated with the two leaders and their call records as well as financial dealings are under scrutiny. They may be summoned for further investigations during the probe,” an NCB official said on the condition of anonymity.

The investigation stems from the August 20 arrest of three alleged drug peddlers — Parminder Singh, alias Pamma, Shaifi and Shaka — all residents of Timmowal village in Tarn Taran district. The NCB had seized 80 gm of heroin from them, following which the trio was remanded in judicial custody.

During interrogation, the three accused reportedly confessed to their connections with cross-border smugglers. Forensic examination of their mobile phones has further pointed to a wider network of traffickers and possible political protection.

The NCB is now probing deeper into the suspected drug-politics nexus in Punjab’s sensitive border belt, where drug trafficking has long posed a serious challenge.