Chandigarh: In separate operations, Punjab Police have seized a total of 27 kg of heroin and arrested a suspect. Pritam Singh, hailing from Mohar Jamsher village in Fazilka, was apprehended with 15 kg of heroin concealed beneath wheat straw heaps on a tractor-trolley. This arrest was carried out by the State Special Operation Cell (SSOC), Fazilka, which, according to Director General of Punjab Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav, has seized a staggering 147 kg of heroin in the past 45 days.
An intelligence-based operation targeting cross-border narcotics smuggling networks led SSOC-Fazilka to recover 15 kg of heroin and apprehend a drug trafficker, confirmed DGP Yadav. The seizure occurred during the search of a tractor-trolley, resulting in the registration of a case under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act at SSOC-Fazilka police station. "In an intelligence-led operation against trans-border narcotic smuggling networks, SSOC Fazilka has recovered 15 Kg Heroin after arresting one drug trafficker Recovery was made during the search of a tractor-trolley loaded with straw,' he wrote on social media, adding that "In the last 45 days, SSOC Fazilka has recovered 147 Kg Heroin. FIR under NDPS Act is registered at PS Sadar Fazilka & Investigation ongoing to disrupt the drug supply chain."
In a separate operation, Jalandhar Rural Police successfully seized 12 kg of heroin. This operation, part of an ongoing intelligence-based effort against cross-border drug trafficking networks, contributed to the recovery of a total of 21 kg of heroin in the past three days, as reported by the DGP. The DGP explained that the 12 kg of heroin were seized from two locations, 6 kg each, based on information obtained following the arrest of a major drug trafficker named Malkiat Singh, alias Kali, from Tendi Wala village in Ferozepur.
"In an ongoing intelligence-based operation against cross-border drug trafficking network, Jalandhar Rural Police has effected seizure of another 12 Kg Heroin, after initial seizure of 9 kg heroin- total 21 kg heroin recovered in last three days in the operation. FIR under NDPS Act registered at PS Goraya Further investigations ongoing for forward & backward linkages," he stated in posts on social media.
This development follows the recent arrest of Malkiat Singh, from whom nine kg of heroin were recovered. To date, with this latest seizure, a total of 43.5 kg of heroin has been confiscated from a 50 kg consignment associated with Malkiat Singh. This recovery is another part of the 50 kg heroin consignment, which was smuggled into India by three swimmers from Pakistan under the direction of drug smuggler Malkiat Kali. Law enforcement agencies have successfully seized 43.5 kg of heroin after arresting at least five drug traffickers, including one swimmer known as Joga Singh. The search is ongoing to locate the remaining two swimmers, identified as Gurdeep Singh, alias Rangi, and Gurwinder Singh, alias Mashtangi, both residents of Tendi Wala village in Ferozepur.
Regarding these developments, Jalandhar Senior Superintendent of Police, Rural, Mukhwinder Singh Bhullar, disclosed that Malkiat Singh had revealed during questioning that, according to the agreement, swimmers were to receive INR 1 crore. Furthermore, INR 5 crore was to be sent to Pakistan-based smuggler Haider Ali through a Hawala transaction once the consignment was sold. The investigation has uncovered that the remaining portion of approximately 6.5 kg of heroin is currently with accused Rangi and Mashtangi. An active search is underway to apprehend them.
Additional Inspector General, SSOC-Fazilka, Lakhbir Singh, indicated that the investigation is ongoing, with more seizures anticipated. Authorities have also filed cases against the fugitives, Kaushlya Bai and Gurmeet Singh, and are actively seeking their apprehension.
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