Punjab Police Seizes 10.4 Kg of Heroin in Major Drug Bust, Accused Flees
Amritsar: In a significant blow to cross-border narcotics smuggling networks, Punjab Police’s Counter Intelligence (CI) unit in Amritsar successfully intercepted two suspicious vehicles near Village Sukhewala, leading to the recovery of 10.4 kg of heroin. The operation, part of an ongoing drive to eradicate drug trafficking in the state, was conducted on the basis of intelligence reports, said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab, Gaurav Yadav, on Saturday.
While the heroin consignment was seized from a Maruti Baleno car, the main accused, identified as Sukhraj Singh, managed to flee the scene along with his accomplice. The duo escaped in a Mahindra Scorpio, leaving behind the Baleno car, which contained the illicit drugs. The police teams have impounded the Baleno, which bears the registration number PB46AG1224.
According to DGP Yadav, intelligence reports indicated that a heroin consignment was being exchanged between the occupants of two cars—one being the Maruti Baleno and the other a Mahindra Scorpio, which did not have a registration number. Acting on this input, the CI team, led by DSP Navtej Singh, tracked down both vehicles parked near an Indian Oil Petrol Pump in Village Sukhewala. At the time of interception, the two accused were reportedly engaged in a discussion near the Scorpio.
Upon spotting the approaching police team, the suspects hastily fled in their Scorpio, abandoning the Baleno. Upon inspection of the Baleno, the police discovered the heroin consignment weighing 10.4 kg, along with ₹1,000 in cash. Additionally, the vehicle contained photocopies of an Aadhar Card and Voter ID card belonging to Sukhraj Singh, further cementing his involvement in the operation.
The DGP stated that preliminary investigations suggest that Sukhraj Singh was intending to deliver the heroin to the occupant of the Scorpio. Police are now working to identify and apprehend Singh’s accomplice, who was in the Scorpio at the time of the incident. Intensive raids are underway to track down both suspects, with special teams deployed across multiple locations.
The DGP further added that the investigation is in full swing, with the aim of uncovering both the backward and forward linkages of this drug-smuggling network. Authorities are exploring possible connections to larger cross-border drug trafficking operations, and efforts are being made to dismantle the entire network responsible for the consignment.
This seizure marks a crucial step in Punjab’s ongoing campaign against drug smuggling, a serious issue that has plagued the state for years. The state government, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, has reiterated its commitment to eradicating drugs and has implemented several aggressive measures to combat the illicit trade. The involvement of sophisticated smuggling networks, often operating across international borders, poses a significant challenge to law enforcement agencies in the state.
In this case, police are focusing on identifying the supply chain of the seized heroin, including where the drugs were sourced from and their intended destination. Investigators are also probing whether this incident is linked to any larger drug cartels or organized crime syndicates operating in the region.
An FIR (First Information Report) has been registered under various sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, including sections 21, 25, and 29, at the State Special Operations Cell (SSOC) in Amritsar. This legal framework will support further investigation and prosecution of those involved in the smuggling operation.
The police are also urging the public to report any suspicious activities related to narcotics, promising swift action and confidentiality for informants. The authorities remain committed to their goal of making Punjab a drug-free state and are determined to crack down on all forms of narcotic-related crimes.
