TWO HELD WITH 6.76 KG HEROIN IN ANTF CRACKDOWN

Vikram Ditya Sharma/Ferozepur

Continuing its drive against drug smuggling, the Anti Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) has arrested two alleged drug smugglers and recovered 6.76 kg of heroin from their possession in a major operation.

Divulging details, DSP ANTF Prithipal Singh said that the agency had received specific information that Balraj Singh alias Baaj (25) and Sukhwinder Singh alias Sukha (29), both residents of village Maste Ke in the Guruharsahai area, were in contact with Pakistan-based smugglers and were likely to receive a consignment of heroin near a dhaba in village Jiwa Arai.

Acting swiftly on the information, ANTF teams laid a trap in the area. The DSP said the two accused arrived at the spot on a motorcycle bearing registration number PB-74-1019. During surveillance, the suspects allegedly received a bag from occupants of a car that briefly stopped at the location before leaving.

The ANTF team immediately moved in and apprehended both accused. During the search, 6.76 kg of heroin was recovered from the bag in their possession.

A case under Section 21 of the NDPS Act has been registered against the accused at SAS Nagar Police Station. Both have been taken into custody for further investigation.

The DSP said preliminary investigations revealed that Sukhwinder Singh alias Sukha had previously been involved in multiple criminal cases, including one under the NDPS Act, and had been released on bail a few months ago. He added that investigators are examining both the backward and forward linkages of the smuggling network to identify other individuals involved in the racket.

Notably, ANTF had also achieved a significant breakthrough on June 13 when it arrested three alleged drug smugglers in separate operations and recovered 6.155 kg heroin, 2.795 kg opium and 485 grams of intoxicating powder.