The Jalandhar commissionerate police have seized 8kg of heroin being smuggled from throughout the border, marking the third main restoration in simply 5 days. This follows earlier confiscations of 18.5kg of heroin in separate operations.
The heroin seized by Jalandhar commissionerate police. (Sourced)
Jalandhar police commissioner Dhanpreet Kaur Randhawa mentioned that the contemporary 8kg restoration was made following the interrogation of Shivam Sodhi, a neighborhood resident who was apprehended on Might 21 with 5.5kg of heroin and drug cash amounting to ₹22,000.
“During questioning, Shivam confessed to possessing another consignment of 7kg heroin, which was subsequently recovered based on his identification. Further investigations led to the arrest of Shivam’s accomplice, Barinder Singh alias Babbu, who was found with an additional 1kg of heroin. Alongside the drugs, police seized two illegal .32 bore weapons, six live cartridges and three luxury vehicles from the possession of the accused,” commissioner Randhawa mentioned.
“We have traced their forward linkages and are conducting raids at their possible locations in Amritsar and other border areas. Both the accused have confessed to smuggling contraband from Pakistan through their contacts.” the commissioner added.
The commissioner mentioned that the accused revealed that latest tensions between India and Pakistan had disrupted the drug provide chain, prompting them to stockpile heroin in giant portions. The duo was primarily energetic within the Doaba area, this bust has efficiently dismantled and choked their cross-border provide community, she added.
Police have registered three instances of drug smuggling and arms violations towards Shivam, whereas Barinder faces 4 such instances, together with one registered by the anti-narcotics activity pressure (ANTF). “Shivam had been involved in drug smuggling for six months, whereas Barinder possessed well-established links within the narcotics trade, which remain under investigation. Barinder will be taken into custody to determine the origin of the large heroin consignments and the intended recipients. Preliminary investigations reveal that both accused have amassed significant wealth in movable and immovable assets, including cars and residential properties, purchased with drug money,” the commissioner mentioned.
“We’ve gathered checking account particulars of their members of the family which point out suspicious transactions. Authorized proceedings to grab or freeze illegally acquired properties beneath Part 68F of the NDPS Act might be initiated shortly.
In a separate operation on Might 23, Jalandhar police busted one other cross-border narcotics nexus, recovering 5.5kg of heroin from two smugglers, together with Rinku Singh of Muhar Khewa, Fazilka, who was reportedly working drug operations from Faridkot Central Jail.