ACCUSED WAS TRANSPORTING CONTRABAND FROM RAJASTHAN TO PUNJAB IN A TRUCK; VEHICLE SEIZED
Naresh Kumar/Barnala
Barnala police have arrested a Jalandhar-based alleged drug smuggler and recovered 20 kg of opium from a truck allegedly being used to transport the contraband from Rajasthan to Punjab.
The police have also seized the truck used for smuggling the narcotic substance.
SP (D) Bal Krishan Singla said a case had been registered against the accused, identified as Mangal Ram, a resident of Jalandhar district. The police would seek his remand from a court for further interrogation to establish the supply network and identify other persons involved in the racket.The SP said the police had received information that a person was procuring opium from other states and supplying it in different districts of Punjab.
Acting on the information, a police team laid a naka near Moga Road in Barnala and intercepted a suspicious truck. During its search, the police recovered 20 kg of opium from the vehicle and arrested its driver, Mangal Ram.
During preliminary questioning, the accused allegedly disclosed that he used to purchase opium at cheaper rates in Rajasthan and transport it to Punjab, where he supplied it in different areas at higher prices.
Police probing supply network
The police are now investigating the intended recipients of the consignment in Punjab and identifying other persons allegedly involved in the inter-state smuggling network. The accused will be produced before a court to obtain his remand for further questioning, the SP said.
