Punjab: 27 quintals of poppy husk seized from canter with fake ‘army duty’ sticker’ in Muktsar; 2 held

Muktsar district police on Wednesday claimed to have seized a canter vehicle bearing an "on Army duty" sticker, allegedly carrying 27 quintals of poppy husk being transported from Jharkhand.

Two persons have been arrested.

Muktsar SSP Tushar Gupta said that they had received a tip-off over the past three days and had been working on it.

“Two drug smugglers have been arrested, while efforts are underway to nab their kingpin, who was to receive the consignment in Muktsar. These individuals had pasted an "on Army duty" sticker on their vehicle to evade police checkpoints on their way from Jharkhand,” said the SSP.

He added, “When our team intercepted the vehicle near Aulakh village here, the occupants claimed they were carrying ration for the Army. However, during the search of the vehicle, 90 bags loaded with poppy husk, weighing 27 quintals, were found.” The SSP further stated that after the arrest of the kingpin of this drug smuggling racket, further drug recoveries could also be made.

Those arrested were identified as Maninder Singh of Danewala village and Akashdeep Singh of Gidderbaha town. A case under various sections of the NDPS Act has been registered at Malout Sadar police station.