Ex-sarpanch held with 1-kg heroin
Tribune News Service
Amritsar, August 7
The CIA staff of the rural police have arrested a former sarpanch of Khumania village, identified as Nirvail Singh, among two persons and confiscated 1 kg of heroin, valued at Rs 5 crore in the international market, from their possession. The other accused has been identified as Jagtar Singh, who was driving the car.
Amritsar (Rural) SSP Vikram Jeet Duggal said both had tied 500-gm heroin each to their waist which was recovered in presence of DSP Gurpartap Singh Sahota.
A case under Sections 21, 25, 29, 61 and 85 of the NDPS Act has been registered against them at Gharinda police station while further interrogation is under progress. The police also recovered two mobile phones from their possession.
According to information, a police party had established a checkpoint near the BSF headquarters, near India Gate, when a car (PB02CY5322) was signalled to stop on Tuesday night. The occupants tried to escape, but the cops didn’t allow them to come out of their car. They immediately alerted senior police officials and Attari DSP GS Sahota reached the spot and seized the contraband during search.
During their interrogation, acting on the information they provided, the police nabbed their two accomplices — Ravinder Singh of Baddowal village and Iqbal Singh, alias Dullo Pehalwan. Ravinder was caught with 60-gm heroin and Iqbal was nabbed possessing 40-gm heroin. The police also recovered Rs 10.91 lakh and Rs 75,000 of drug money from their possession.
An investigation revealed that Nirvail Singh was lodged in jail in connection with a murder case where he came in contact with smugglers following which he ventured into the illegal trade of drugs. It has been learnt that he had contacts with political leaders which helped him escape arrest several times.
The SSP said during his interrogation the police were likely to make more recovery besides laying hands on international smugglers. The police are also ascertaining if it was smuggled from across the fence.
The case
Nirvail Singh is a former sarpanch of Khumania village. He, along with Jagtar Singh, has been caught with 1 kg of heroin. They were caught at a police checkpoint. They tried to escape from their car, but the cops didn't let them out. Attari DSP GS Sahota was called to the spot in whose presence the contraband was seized from them. Later, acting on the information they provided, the police arrested Ravinder Singh of Baddowal village and Iqbal Singh, alias Dullo Pehalwan, with 60 gm and 40 gm of heroin respectively.
