Punjab Police bust Pakistan-linked drug cartel in Amritsar; 5 kg narcotics seized and 3 arrested under CM Bhagwant Mann’s drug-free Punjab drive.

In a significant multi-layered crackdown as part of the ongoing efforts to establish Punjab as a drug-free state in accordance with the directives of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Marín, the Amritsar Commissionerate Police have dismantled a highly organized cross-border drug cartel connected to foreign-based operatives through the arrest of three individuals, stated Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav .

The police have also seized 4.083 kg of methamphetamine, commonly referred to as ICE, and 1.032 kg of heroin from their possession.

Those apprehended have been identified as Balwinder Singh, alias Binder (25), a resident of Daoke village in Amritsar; Navtej Singh (33), originally from Mahwa Viunge in Amritsar and presently residing in a village in Tarn Taran; and Mahabir Singh (32), a resident of Kaaliya Sakataran village in Tarn Taran.

In addition to confiscating contraband, the police teams have recovered Rs 2,500 in drug proceeds and have impounded one vehicle and an Activa scooter.

DGP Yadav stated that initial investigations have indicated that the detained suspects were collaborating with smugglers in Pakistan and internationally through WhatsApp. He stated that additional investigation is underway to trace the forward and backward linkages within the network.

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Sharing operational details, Commissioner of Police (CP) Amritsar Gurpreet Singh Bhullar stated that the police had apprehended suspect Balwinder Singh, alias Binder, in possession of 35 grams of ICE. During questioning, the suspect disclosed his connection with a trafficker based in Pakistan, who communicated drop locations via WhatsApp.

Based on the disclosures of the accused, law enforcement authorities recovered 2.042 kg of ICE narcotics, resulting in a total seizure of 2.077 kg from his possession, he stated.

Bhullar stated that in a concurrent operation, law enforcement authorities apprehended suspect Navtej Singh with 40 grams of ICE narcotics. Further investigation indicated that the latter had previously been employed in Doha, Qatar, where he established contact with a handler, he stated, and noted that this handler subsequently transitioned operations to India via instructions conveyed through WhatsApp.

Investigation has established that Navtej was employed as a ground courier, responsible for collecting narcotic packets and distributing them further. Based on his disclosures, law enforcement authorities recovered an additional 1.966 kg of ICE drug, increasing the total amount recovered to 2.006 kg.

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The Commissioner of Police stated that during a third interception, law enforcement authorities apprehended Mahabir Singh, who was found in possession of 1.032 kg of opium.

Investigations revealed that the latter was receiving shipments from a Pakistan-based smuggler employing drone drops, demonstrating a sophisticated technique for cross-border narcotics transportation. In this context, three distinct cases have been registered: one dated December 5 under Sections 21-C and 29 of the NDPS Act, another dated December 9 under Section 21-C of the NDPS Act at Police Station Hakina, and a third dated December 7 under Sections 22-B and 22-C of the NDPS Act at the Police Station in Chheharta.