Attempt to courier opium to Canada, Moga police arrest four

Nearly two months after an attempt was made to dispatch 450 grams of opium to Canada through a courier service, the Moga police on Sunday evening arrested four persons, including three women, for their alleged involvement in the smuggling attempt.

According to the police, the prime accused, Mandeep Kaur, had allegedly packed the opium in a sweet box for dispatch to her Canada based husband Sartaj SIngh on September 29, 2025. Her mother-in-law, Gulshanjeet Kaur, and two others, Kuldeep Kaur and Manjit Singh, have also been named in the case. City Moga SHO Varun SIngh said that all four had a role in the smuggling operation.

The case was originally registered on September 29, 2025, on the complaint of Ravi Kumar, owner of the courier company through which the parcel was booked. Though the police had reportedly identified the suspects soon after, the matter allegedly remained suppressed due to local political pressure.

Sources allege that the recent removal of former Moga Mayor Baljit Singh Channi is also linked to this smuggling case. A video purportedly showing exchange of money related to the scam surfaced on social media, prompting the state government to take action. Channi was removed from the post of Mayor and subsequently expelled from his political party.

Channi, however, strongly denied any involvement, claiming he was being targeted due to political rivalry. “I have nothing to do with any smuggling or money exchange incident. I have been made a scapegoat to end my political career,” he said.

The police have declined to comment on the alleged political connection, stating that further investigation is underway. The police are collecting more information in this case, said Varun Singh SHO.