Crime branch busts two inter-state drug syndicates, seizes narcotics worth Rs 8.15 cr

In fight against organised drug trafficking, the UT Chandigarh Crime Branch has dismantled two inter-state narcotics syndicates in separate operations this month. The back-to-back crackdowns, registered under FIR (23) dated November 7 and FIR(24) dated November 19, have led to the arrest of 12 accused and the recovery of commercial quantities of cocaine, heroin and synthetic drugs valued over Rs 8.15 crore, along with drug money, vehicles, jewellery and digital devices.

Total seizures under FIR 23

1 Cocaine: 1,025.59 gm (worth Rs 6 crore)

2 Heroin: 197.02 gm (worth Rs 50 lakh)

3 Ice: 2.01 gm

4 Cash: approx. Rs 21 lakh

5 Gold ornaments and two vehicles

Total recoveries under FIR 24

1 Cocaine: 184 gm (Rs 90 lakh)

2 Heroin: 279 gm (Rs 75 lakh)

3 Drug money: Rs 5 lakh

4 Vehicles, QR scanners, gold/silver jewellery

and note-counting machine

First syndicate uncovered via Sector 40 arrest

The first network began to unravel on November 7 when a Crime Branch team led by ASI Bhupinder Singh arrested Ashwani Kumar, alias Ashu, from Sector 40 with 47.80 grams of heroin. His interrogation revealed a wider chain of local peddlers and suppliers. The police next arrested Sonu, alias Kallu, alias Don, and Salman from Sector 56 and Maloya, and recovered additional quantities of heroin and 2.01 grams of ice (crystal meth).

Further disclosures led officials to Sunil, alias Darchi, and Anup in Sectors 38-D and 25. The breakthrough came when Anup named Bunty, a resident of Dhakoli, Zirakpur, as the key interstate supplier. A subsequent raid on Bunty’s residence yielded a massive haul of 523 grams of cocaine, Rs 20.64 lakh in cash, gold and silver jewellery, a vehicle and other incriminating material. Additional searches led to the recovery of 490 grams of cocaine from Bunty, 21.45 grams of heroin from Sunil and 10.26 grams of heroin, along with 25 crack balls, from Anup.

This syndicate, the police said, operated through a multi-tier supply system. Local peddlers bought small and medium quantities of heroin from Sonu, while Bunty sourced cocaine from a supplier named Sunny in Uttam Nagar, Delhi, and allegedly procured synthetic drugs from African nationals based in the capital. All six accused have been remanded to judicial custody.

Second syndicate ran cocaine network

The second syndicate was exposed on November 19 when Sub-Inspector Daljeet Singh’s team apprehended Rahul of Sector 25 and Arun Kumar of Daddu Majra with 109.56 grams and 36.80 grams of cocaine, respectively. Their arrests opened up another chain of interlinked suppliers and carriers, leading to arrest of Inderjeet, Tinku, Akash and Vishal.

Investigations revealed that Arun Kumar was the main handler, procuring cocaine from Delhi-based suppliers and used multiple bank accounts for drug payments. Rahul acted as the primary distributor, placing drugs at predetermined milestone locations and sending photographs and location pins to avoid face-to-face exchanges. Akash handled UPI transactions and assisted in supplies, while Inderjeet served as a middleman connecting Arun to a Punjab-based supplier known as Gill. Vishal, a pharmacy graduate, reportedly supplied heroin and supported ground-level operations.

Searches in this case led to the recovery of 184 grams of cocaine, 279 grams of heroin, Rs 5 lakh drug money, two vehicles, gold and silver jewellery, a note-counting machine and six QR scanners.

Ongoing investigation

and expected arrests

The Crime Branch believes that both syndicates had deep links across Chandigarh, Punjab, Haryana and Delhi, and more arrests were likely as the investigation progressed. Officials said the two enforcement actions dealt a significant blow to the narcotics supply chains active in the tricity and the surrounding areas. The probe continues as the police examine financial trails, digital footprints and supplier links to dismantle the networks completely.

The operations were carried out under the leadership of SP (Crime) Jasbir Singh, with supervision of DSP (Crime) Dhiraj Kumar and ground execution by Inspector Satvinder, SHO, Police Station Crime, Sector 11.