Kullu cops arrest Punjab man with 50gm heroin

In a significant breakthrough in the fight against narcotics, Kullu police on Tuesday arrested a man from Punjab with 50 gm of heroin — locally known as chitta — during a raid at a hotel in the Bandrol area, about 11 km from the town.

Acting on a tip-off, a police team raided a private hotel and searched Room No. 203 as per legal procedure. The search led to the recovery of 50 gm of heroin from the possession of Pritam Singh (38), a resident of Ludhiana, Punjab.

Following the seizure, a case was registered under Section 21 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act at the Kullu police station. The accused remains in custody as investigators work to trace the supply chain and identify others involved in the trafficking network.

This incident adds to a string of similar cases in recent years, with many drug traffickers caught in Kullu district hailing from Punjab. Police have previously busted several major rackets involving heroin, charas and synthetic drugs in the tourist-heavy valley.

Officials note a worrying trend: a shift from traditional narcotics like charas to potent synthetic drugs such as heroin, MDMA and methamphetamine. These substances, they warn, are not only more dangerous due to their purity and potency but also easier to conceal and transport.

Kullu Superintendent of Police Karthikeyan Gokulachandran reiterated the district police’s commitment to eliminating the drug menace. He said officers are working closely with intelligence units to track inter-state supply routes and urged citizens to remain vigilant, reporting any suspicious activity to the nearest police station.