Interstate drug ring busted, kingpin held

Continuing its sustained crackdown on an interstate drug syndicate, the Shimla police on Friday arrested an alleged kingpin from Ferozepur, Punjab, in connection with a recently unearthed heroin network operating in Rohru.

The accused, Hardeep Singh, is alleged to have been running the supply chain in coordination with Jashandeep Singh, who was earlier arrested with 83 grams of chitta (heroin) in Rohru. Investigators said the network was being operated through a WhatsApp virtual number to evade detection.

Addressing a press conference, Shimla ASP Abhishek Dhiman said the case dates back to February 2, 2026, when two Punjab residents were apprehended with heroin in Rohru. During subsequent investigations, four more alleged peddlers — Ashish Chauhan, Naveen Shitta, Diwan Chand and Vijender Singh — were arrested for their links to the duo.

The police scrutiny of bank accounts revealed transactions amounting to approximately Rs 18 lakh among the accused. Further digital analysis of WhatsApp communications and financial records established backward linkages in the supply chain, pointing to Hardeep Singh as the primary supplier.

According to the ASP, Hardeep’s bank accounts reflected transactions worth Rs 28 lakh over the past seven months, including transfers from Jashandeep. The funds were allegedly routed for procuring heroin.

So far, seven individuals have been arrested in connection with the network. The police said further investigation is underway to identify additional links and dismantle the broader interstate supply chain.