Two arrested with 1.3-kg heroin

Tribune News Service

Patiala, July 29

The police have registered a case against two persons on the charge of smuggling 1.3-kg heroin. 

The police said they raided a car stranded on the Narwana road bypass chowk in Patran where the accused were waiting for some other persons. The accused have been identified as Rajinder Singh of Patran and Nirmal Singh of Antala in Ghagga. While Rajinder has been arrested, his accomplice Nirmal Singh is absconding.

The police have registered a case against the accused under Sections 21, 61 and 85 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. The police said 1-kg heroin could cost between Rs 1.5 crore and Rs 3 crore.

Patran SHO Ranbir Singh said the recovery was made during an operation undertaken by the Patran police and the special task force (STF). Cases of smuggling narcotic drugs have been registered against both the accused earlier also. Ranbir Singh said: “One of the two accused, Rajinder Singh, was earlier sent to the jail for carrying 180-kg poppy husk in Rajasthan. He has already served six years’ term and was out on a bail, but remained involved in the same business.”

The SHO said as per the investigation, Rajinder Singh had brought the heroin from Delhi. “He brought the heroin from Delhi from a man named James. We are trying to track James also.”

The police said Rajinder Singh has been remanded in two-day police custody while his accomplice Nirmal Singh is absconding.