Daijiworld Media Network - Chandigarh
Chandigarh, May 20: In a major operation against drug trafficking networks, the Punjab Police has dismantled an international drug cartel with the arrest of two individuals and the recovery of 10 kg of ICE (methamphetamine) and 4 kg of heroin in Amritsar, officials said on Wednesday.
According to Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav, the arrested accused have been identified as Mohit alias Bachi (19), a resident of Pavaar village in Jalandhar, and Arshdeep Singh alias Arsh alias Harman (23), a resident of Kot Khalsa in Amritsar.
Preliminary investigations suggest that both accused were operating under the directions of a Dubai-based drug trafficker operating from Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Officials said the duo was actively involved in supplying narcotics across Punjab and parts of Delhi.
The DGP stated that Mohit had recently returned from Dubai, where he was allegedly trained and assigned responsibilities to transport heroin and methamphetamine consignments into India. The drugs were being distributed across the Majha and Doaba regions, police said.
Amritsar Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar said the arrests were made during a targeted operation based on specific intelligence inputs. Police intercepted the accused while they were travelling on a motorcycle and recovered the narcotics after searching them.
Investigators revealed that Arshdeep Singh was already involved in drug trafficking and maintained direct contact with the Dubai-based handler, while Mohit was used to deliver consignments stored and routed through local contacts.
Police further noted that the same network had been targeted earlier in February, when two associates of the same Dubai-based smuggler were arrested with 7.6 kg of heroin and cash proceeds from drug sales.
Authorities also said that the smuggler’s mother and sister are currently lodged in Amritsar Central Jail in connection with a separate NDPS Act case involving the recovery of 42 kg of heroin.
A case has been registered under Sections 21-C and 29 of the NDPS Act at Police Station Chheharta. Officials said further investigation is underway to trace backward and forward linkages and identify additional members of the syndicate operating both in India and abroad.