Daijiworld Media Network - Chandigarh

Chandigarh, Jul 14: Punjab Police's Counter Intelligence (CI) unit in Amritsar has dismantled another cross-border narcotics smuggling network, arresting two alleged operatives and recovering 30 kg of heroin during a targeted operation, Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav said on Tuesday.

The arrested men have been identified as Gurpreet Singh alias Gopi, a resident of Shaheed Udham Singh Nagar, and Gagandeep Singh of Bhalla Colony, both in Amritsar.

Besides the heroin, police also seized the motorcycle that was allegedly being used to transport the narcotics.

The latest operation marks the third major drug bust by the Counter Intelligence unit in Amritsar since July 6, taking the total heroin seized by the unit over the past 10 days to 68 kg.

Earlier, on July 6, the CI team had arrested three suspects and recovered 13 kg of heroin. A day later, on July 7, three more individuals were apprehended with 25 kg of heroin, officials said.

According to DGP Yadav, preliminary investigations indicate that the two accused were acting on the instructions of a foreign-based handler believed to be linked to cross-border drug trafficking networks.

The probe suggests that the duo's role was to collect heroin consignments from designated locations and transport them to various recipients across Punjab.

Police launched the operation after receiving specific intelligence that Gurpreet Singh and Gagandeep Singh had recently collected a large consignment of heroin and were on their way to deliver it near the Gaunsabad area under Kambo police station in Amritsar.

Acting on the information, Counter Intelligence teams established checkpoints in the area and intercepted the suspects while they were travelling on a motorcycle. A search led to the recovery of 30 kg of heroin, and both men were taken into custody.

Police said further investigations are underway to identify other members of the smuggling network and trace the foreign-based handler as part of efforts to dismantle the entire cross-border narcotics syndicate.