22-yr-old held with 260 kg heroin

Gurbaxpuri

Tarn Taran, July 3

Residents of Chohla Sahib village, 25 km from here, are in a state of shock over the arrest of a 22-year-old local youth in connection with a 260-kg heroin seizure case.

Prabhjit Singh was arrested by the Ludhaina zone unit of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) from his native village on Friday. Though he was arrested in connection with the recovery of 135 kg heroin at the Mumbai port on Thursday, 125 kg more stashed contraband was seized on the basis of his disclosure. Sources said more recovery was likely in the coming days.

The heroin had arrived at the Mumbai port concealed in a gypsum consignment in Prabhjit’s name.

Prabhjit’s family owned seven to eight acres of farmland and ran an agriculture store, ‘Kisan Kheti Store.’ He started the business of importing gypsum four years ago and amassed huge wealth within a short span. He currently owned properties in several towns.

Apart from luxury vehicles, he possessed firearms, including three licensed revolvers and a rifle.

He is reported to have links within the ruling Congress and a leader was allegedly considered close to him. The district police have formed a special team to ascertain his contacts, said a senior police officer.

The family members are followers of Baba Ranjit Singh Dhadrianwale and live in a palatial house in the village.

The district police were investigating the role of a relative, also a Chohla Sahib resident, who ran a transport business at Attari of loading and unloading goods from the Integrated Check Post (ICP), said the police officer.