Drug kingpin Bhinder, wanted by FBI, nabbed from Ludhiana

In a significant breakthrough, the Tarn Taran police have apprehended druglord Shehnaaz Singh, also known as Shawn Bhinder, from Ludhiana. Bhinder, a native of Mandiala village in Batala, had been residing in Brampton, Canada, and was wanted by US agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), in connection with a massive drug seizure in the US on February 26.

Following the crackdown by US authorities, Bhinder fled to India. His involvement came to light during the interrogation of his five accomplices, who were arrested in connection with the seizure of 391 kg methamphetamine, commonly known as ICE, along with 109 kg cocaine. Additionally, four sophisticated weapons and several vehicles were confiscated from the suspects.

Those arrested by the FBI were identified as Amritpal Singh, alias Amrit, alias Bal; Amritpal Singh, alias Cheema; Taqdeer Singh, alias Romi; Sarabjit Singh Saabi; Fernando Valladares, alias Franco; and Gurlal Singh.

"Bhinder was a key figure in a global narcotics syndicate, responsible for smuggling cocaine and other drugs from Colombia into the US and Canada," said DIG Ferozepur Range Swapan Sharma. After his escape to India, the Punjab Police successfully tracked and arrested him from Ludhiana, Sharma added.

Bhinder was also wanted in connection with an Arms Act case registered in December 2024, in which the Tarn Taran Police had arrested five members of the notorious Jaggu Bhagwanpuria and Amritpal Batth Gang. The arrests led to the recovery of a significant cache of arms and ammunition.

Tarn Taran SSP Abhimanyu Rana said preliminary investigations revealed Bhinder played a crucial role in transporting large consignments of drugs across international borders using trucks and trailers.

Detailing the modus operandi of the racket, Rana said interrogations revealed Bhinder had been operating a transportation business in Canada since 2014. "Under the guise of a legitimate transportation business, he allegedly facilitated the movement of drugs from Colombia to the US and Canada via Mexico," Rana explained. The probe further uncovered that Bhinder, along with his accomplices, was transporting approximately 600 kg of cocaine from Colombia every week. Bhinder's network is believed to have ties with notorious drug traffickers, including Amritpal Singh, alias Baath, and Gurjant Singh Bholu Havelia.