Bathinda police bust international drug cartel, 6 held with 40 kg heroin

In a significant crackdown on trans-border narco-smuggling, Bathinda Police have busted an international drug cartel, arresting six key operatives.

The operation, which began with specific intelligence, led to the recovery of 40 kg of heroin from a Toyota Fortuner car on Tuesday.

After specific inputs, a team from CIA Staff-1 Bathinda launched a special operation and intercepted the car bearing registration number Punjab-53E-6771.

The arrested individuals have been identified as Lakhvir Singh alias Lakha (33), Prabhjot Singh (26), Ranjodh Singh (27), Akash Marwaha (21), Rohit Kumar (25), and Gurcharan Singh alias Guri (27), all residents of Malout in Sri Muktsar Sahib. Lakhvir has a prior record under the Arms Act, while Prabhjot faces charges under the NDPS Act.

Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav stated that preliminary investigations indicate the heroin consignment was sent by Pakistan-based handlers for distribution within Punjab. This bust follows a similar operation by Amritsar Commissionerate Police, which intercepted 60.302 kg of heroin near the International Border in Barmer, Rajasthan, linked to a Pakistan-based smuggler Tanveer Shah and a Canada-based handler Joban Kaler.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Bathinda, Amneet Kondal, confirmed that the drugs were being smuggled across the Indo-Pak border and distributed by local smugglers. Investigations are ongoing to establish the full extent of the drug supply chain and identify further accomplices.

A case has been registered under Section 21C of the NDPS Act at Police Station Kotwali, Bathinda.