(MOREPIC1) Vikram Ditya Sharma/Ferozepur
Tightening the noose around drug trafficking networks operating along the border, the Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) has arrested two alleged smugglers and seized a huge consignment of 5.710 kg heroin, Rs 16.90 lakh drug money and four sophisticated pistols along with live cartridges. The action is being seen as a major blow to a well-organised cross-border narco network.
Giving details, Gurinderbir Singh, AIG ANTF, said that acting on precise intelligence inputs backed by technical surveillance, ANTF teams carried out a swift operation in the Nihala Kilcha village area along the Indo-Pak border and apprehended the accused, identified as Gurvinder Singh alias Gori and Sikandar Singh alias Kali.
Talking to the mediapersons, the AIG said that preliminary investigations have established that both accused were in direct contact with Pakistan-based smugglers and were engaged in receiving narcotics consignments dropped through drones in the border belt. He added that the consignment was subsequently distributed across various parts of Punjab, pointing towards a structured and well-coordinated smuggling network.
During the initial search, the police recovered 5.710 kg heroin, Rs 16.90 lakh suspected drug proceeds, two .30 bore pistols, two magazines and 10 live cartridges. Subsequent interrogation led to further recoveries, including a 9 mm pistol with a magazine and 10 cartridges, along with another .32 bore pistol.
The AIG further revealed that the prime accused, Gurvinder Singh, has a previous criminal record. He said that the accused were part of a larger cross-border supply chain that relied on drones to transport narcotics into Indian territory before pushing them into the local distribution network.
A case has been registered against both accused at ANTF police station, SAS Nagar, under Sections 21 and 27-A of the NDPS Act and Section 25 of the Arms Act. Police teams have intensified efforts to trace other local as well as foreign links connected to the network, officials said, adding that further investigations are underway.
