Int'l drug trafficking gang busted, three held with 3 kg opium

The Jalandhar Commissionerate Police has made a breakthrough by busting an international drug trafficking gang and seized 3 kg of opium.

Commissioner Swapan Sharma said three persons, involved in smuggling and packaging opium for international trade, were arrested.

He said on November 24, a CIA team arrested Chahat, a resident of New Sant Nagar, Bhargo Camp, Jalandhar, at Mata Rani Chowk. He said 1 kg of opium was seized from him, adding that an FIR was registered at the Bhargo Camp Police Station under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.

His interrogation led to the identification of two accomplices, Pawan Kumar and Ranbir Singh, who were arrested the same day. The police seized an additional 2 kg of opium from them. The gang is suspected of packaging the drugs and smuggling it abroad.

Commissioner Sharma also revealed that Section 29 of the NDPS Act had been added to the case and an extensive investigation was ongoing to trace the gang’s links. The authorities are working to identify other individuals involved in the illegal operation and to make further recoveries.

Pawan Kumar has a criminal record, with two previous FIRs under the NDPS Act earlier this year. However, the other two accused have no prior criminal history.