Punjab Newsline | Amritsar
In a major breakthrough against cross-border narcotics trafficking, the Counter Intelligence Wing of the Punjab Police has busted a large drug smuggling network allegedly being operated from across the border. One accused has been arrested and 20 kilograms of heroin has been recovered from his possession.
According to police officials, the seized heroin is estimated to be worth around ₹140 crore in the international market.
Accused was working for a foreign-based handler
Preliminary investigations have revealed that the arrested accused was allegedly acting on the instructions of a foreign-based handler believed to have links with drug smugglers operating across the India-Pakistan border.
Police said the accused was responsible for receiving consignments of heroin delivered near the international border and further supplying them to various districts of Punjab.
An FIR has been registered under the NDPS Act at the State Special Operation Cell (SSOC) police station in Amritsar. Investigators are now working to identify other individuals associated with the network and uncover the full extent of the smuggling operation.
Officials are also examining whether the arrested accused has any connection with previously busted drug trafficking modules operating in the state.
Punjab Police reiterates anti-drug drive
The Punjab Police reiterated that it remains committed to its campaign to make the state drug-free and that strict action against cross-border drug trafficking networks will continue. The force said intelligence-based operations are being intensified to dismantle narcotics supply chains operating from across the border and prevent the distribution of drugs within Punjab.
