4.5-kg heroin seized near Indo-Pak border

Our Correspondent

Ferozepur, October 10

Close on the heels of several drone sightings in the area, the BSF and CIA today seized 4.25-kg heroin, worth Rs 22 crore in international market, near the Basti Ramlal border outpost (BOP) along the Indo-Pakistan border.

According to information, a CIA team from Fazilka along with BSF personnel carried out a joint operation in the area on Thursday afternoon. During a search ahead of the fencing, three packets wrapped in yellow polythene and a 2-litre plastic bottle containing heroin were recovered from the fields belonging to one Sukhwinder Singh. The seizure took place at a location situated only five metre inside the Indian territory and 145 m away from the BOP. Pakistan’s border outpost of Annoke is situated around 700 m from the site.

Sources said the CIA team had nabbed a cross-border drug peddler, Satnam Singh, hailing from Guruharsahai. He gave inputs about the consignment during the interrogation following which the search operation was planned. BSF officials said Sukhwinder Singh also had criminal record. However, he has not been arrested yet.

The sources said during the past few months, Pakistani agencies have been desperately trying to push narcotics, fake currency and arms inside the Indian territory through various routes.

“In addition to airdropping arms and ammunition, there is a possibility of drones being used to smuggle contraband also,” said an official, adding that investigations were already going on to ascertain the source of these drugs.

Another official said the use of drones to smuggle drugs was unheard of.

Drone sighting rumours keep cops on toes 

• After rumours of drones being sighted again surfaced on Wednesday night, the police searched the border area. SP (Headquarters) GS Cheema said all places where drones were reportedly sighted were thoroughly checked, but nothing had been recovered so far. 
• BSF officials said they had already taken up the matter with senior officials and a close eye was being kept on suspicious activities.