Amritsar Rural police seize 6 kg heroin, nab two peddlers

In an intelligence-led operation, the Special Cell of Amritsar Rural Police seized 6.15 kg of heroin and a pistol from two cross-border drug traffickers. The accused have been identified as Lovepreet Singh, alias Love, a resident of Rajatal (a border village), and Balwinder Singh, alias Bobby, of Cheecha village.

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As per a preliminary investigation, the two were in direct contact with a Pakistan-based smuggler via WhatsApp, indicating a strong cross-border nexus. In addition to the heroin and a PX5 pistol (.30 bore) with four live cartridges, the police also recovered Rs 10,000 in drug money, a mobile phone and a motorcycle from the accused.

The arrests were made near Brar village, where a police team had set up a naka. On spotting the police, the suspects attempted to flee, raising suspicion. They were apprehended and a subsequent search led to the recovery of the contraband and weapons, said Maninder Singh, SSP Amritsar (Rural).

A case has been registered under the NDPS Act and the Arms Act at Lopoke police station. Further investigations are underway to trace both forward and backward linkages of the smuggling operation, the SSP added.

In a separate incident, Gharinda police arrested two drug and weapon smugglers, identified as Gurpreet Singh, alias Gopi, and Vishal Singh, alias Tupa, both residents of Navi Abadi, Attari. The operation led to the seizure of 85 grams heroin, two pistols, a PX5 (.30 bore) and a country-made pistol, as well as two mobile phones.

The police are continuing their investigation to uncover the drug and weapon supply routes, said the Senior Superintendent of Police.