Three more held in 43 kg heroin seizure case; count rises to nine

The Amritsar Rural Police have arrested three more suspects in connection with the seizure of nearly 43 kg of heroin and a cache of arms confiscated on January 29, taking the total number of arrests in the case to nine.

The arrested accused have been identified as Rehmat Ali, Sanjeev and Gagan, all residents of Chheharta area, said Deputy Superintendent of Police Dharminder Kalyan. He said all three were working as couriers in the illegal drug trade and played a role in transporting the contraband as part of the larger smuggling network.

In a parallel development, the police have also issued a Look Out Circular (LOC) against the prime accused, Karan Singh, alias Karan Chheharta, a resident of Chheharta, who is currently based in Dubai, said the police official. He is alleged to be the key handler behind the cross-border drug and arms consignment.

The case pertains to the recovery of nearly 43 kg of heroin, four hand grenades, a Glock pistol and a large quantity of ammunition by the Amritsar Rural Police from Othian village on January 29. During the course of investigation, the police had earlier arrested Sonu, an auto-rickshaw driver; Mohit, a courier; and Anil Poddar and Ritik, both residents of Bhalla Colony in Chheharta.

Karan Chheharta was subsequently nominated in the case as the alleged mastermind operating from abroad. Later, the police had also arrested Davinder Kaur and Kirandeep Kaur, mother and sister of the Dubai-based prime accused Karan Chheharta.

A police official stated that the arrests were made following the analysis of digital evidence and interrogation of the previously held accused.