20 Kg Heroin Seized in Amritsar, Four Held, Two Motorcycles Impounded

Punjab Police's Counter Intelligence (CI) wing has busted a cross-border narcotics smuggling module with the arrest of four people and recovery of 20 kg of heroin, Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav said on Wednesday.

The arrested accused have been identified as Rohan, a resident of Baba Jiwan Singh Colony; Deepak Bakhshi of Partap Bazar; Rishabh Kumar of Golden Avenue; and Ishaan Bedi of New Ranjit Pura, all in Amritsar.

Police also seized two motorcycles allegedly used for transporting the drug consignment.

With the latest seizure, CI Amritsar has recovered 74 kg of heroin in the past week, Yadav said. The agency had earlier seized consignments weighing 27 kg, 10 kg and 17 kg.

According to the DGP, preliminary investigation indicates that the module was being operated by a Dubai-based drug smuggler in coordination with associates in Punjab and foreign-based smugglers.

Sharing details of the operation, Yadav said the CI team received specific information that operatives linked to the Dubai-based smuggler had retrieved a large heroin consignment from the Indo-Pak border area near Rajatal village in Tarn Taran district of Punjab.

The consignment was allegedly sent across the border using drones. The operatives were reportedly heading towards the area near Dana Mandi, close to Satlani Sahib Gurudwara in Amritsar, to deliver the consignment.

Acting on the information, the police team conducted a raid and intercepted the four accused. The 20 kg heroin was recovered from their possession, the DGP said.

The police are now investigating the wider network and its backward and forward linkages, including the source of the narcotics and intended recipients.

A case has been registered under relevant sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act at the State Special Operation Cell police station in Amritsar. Further investigation is underway, police said.