CI-Amritsar busts cross-border drug smuggling module, arrests two with 5 kg heroin

The arrested individuals have been identified as Maninder Singh, a resident of Khatrai Khurd in Amritsar, and Gurjant Singh, a resident of Phirwaria in Amritsar. In a major breakthrough amid the ongoing drive to make Punjab a drug-free state, as per the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Counter Intelligence (CI) Amritsar has busted a narcotics smuggling module with the arrest of two operatives and recovered 5 kg of heroin from their possession, said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav here on Monday. The arrested individuals have been identified as Maninder Singh, a resident of Khatrai Khurd in Amritsar, and Gurjant Singh, a resident of Phirwaria in Amritsar. Apart from recovering the contraband, police teams have impounded their hatchback Hyundai i20 car bearing registration number PB10GH0140, which was being used to transport the consignment. Advertisement DGP Gaurav Yadav said preliminary investigations have revealed links of the arrested accused with a Pakistan-based smuggler, along with a foreign-based handler orchestrating cross-border consignments. Sharing operational details, he said that the police teams from CI Amritsar had received specific information that a foreign-based individual was in contact with a Pakistan-based drug smuggler, and together, they were operating a drug smuggling network in the state with the help of their Punjab-based associates, identified as Maninder Singh and Gurjant Singh. The information further revealed that both associates had received a narcotics consignment from their handler and were heading towards the area of Village Dhariwal, under Ajnala in Amritsar district, in their i20 car to deliver the consignment to another party. Acting swiftly, police teams laid nakas around the area, intercepted both suspects, and recovered 5 kg of heroin from their possession, the DGP said, adding that further investigations are ongoing. An FIR in the case has been registered under Sections 21, 25, and 29 of the NDPS Act at Police Station State Special Operation Cell, Amritsar.