AMRITSAR, Dec 19 — Punjab Police have arrested three alleged drug smugglers and seized 4.5 kilograms of heroin and a .30-bore pistol in a cross-border narco-smuggling case linked to a foreign-based handler, officials said Thursday.
Punjab Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav said the accused were allegedly involved in trafficking heroin and illegal arms after receiving instructions through social media platforms.
“Preliminary investigation has revealed that the arrested accused were in contact with a foreign-based handler and were transporting and supplying heroin and illegal arms at different locations,” Yadav said.
Those arrested were identified as Gurwinder Singh alias Gopi, 23, of Shahwala village in Ferozepur; Tilak alias Shibu, 18, a native of Jalandhar currently residing in Mustafabad, Amritsar; and Daljit Singh alias Lala, 20, of Naushera Dhalla village, also residing in Mustafabad.
Amritsar Commissioner of Police Gurpreet Singh Bhullar said Gurwinder Singh was first apprehended with 1.5 kilograms of heroin and a .30-bore pistol.
“During interrogation, the accused disclosed the involvement of two more associates,” Bhullar said.
Based on the disclosure, police arrested Tilak and Daljit and recovered an additional 3 kilograms of heroin from their possession, he said.
Investigators said Gurwinder Singh’s residence near the international border in Ferozepur allowed him to receive drug and arms consignments through drone drops.
“He was coordinating directly with a foreign-based smuggler to procure the consignments,” Bhullar said.
A case has been registered under Sections 21-C and 29 of the NDPS Act and Sections 25(6, 7, 8) of the Arms Act at Gate Hakima police station. Police said further investigation is underway to trace backward and forward linkages.
