Chandigarh, Nov 25: Chandigarh Police Crime Branch dismantled two interstate drug networks operating across Chandigarh, Delhi, Zirakpur, and Punjab, arresting 12 individuals and seizing contraband valued at over ₹8.15 crore. The recoveries included 1.2 kilograms of cocaine, 476 grams of heroin, 2 grams of ICE, nearly ₹26 lakh in cash, gold and silver jewellery, a note-counting machine, six QR code scanners, and five vehicles, police said.
Investigations indicated that both networks maintained multi-layered supply chains, procuring cocaine and synthetic drugs from Delhi, including sources linked to African nationals, before circulating them locally through street-level peddlers. “The accused used milestone drop-points, third-party UPI accounts, and segregated courier-style deliveries to avoid direct contact with buyers and evade surveillance,” noted a senior officer.
The first breakthrough occurred on November 7, when a team led by Assistant Sub-Inspector Bhupinder Singh apprehended Ashwani Kumar, alias Ashu, from Sector 40 with 47.80 grams of heroin. His interrogation led to the arrests of local peddlers Sunil, alias Darchi, and Salman, followed by Sonu, also known as Kallu or Don, identified as a key intermediary between street-level peddlers and interstate suppliers.
The network extended upward to Bunty, a major supplier based in Dhakoli linked to Delhi. Police said Bunty sourced cocaine from Sunny in Uttam Nagar, Delhi, and synthetic drugs from African nationals operating in the capital before distributing them to Tricity peddlers.
On November 19, Sub-Inspector Daljeet Singh’s team arrested Rahul and Arun Kumar from Sector 25 and Dadumajra, seizing 109.56 grams and 36.80 grams of cocaine, respectively. Their arrest uncovered another interstate chain, leading to the apprehension of four more individuals—Inderjeet Singh, alias Rohit, Tinku, Akash, and Vishal—along with 184 grams of cocaine, 279 grams of heroin, and additional recoveries.
Police noted that Arun Kumar acted as the primary handler, procuring cocaine from Delhi and financing operations through multiple bank accounts. “He had been supplying Rahul for over a year; Rahul would prepare one-gram packets, deliver them at milestone points, and receive payments via UPI to avoid direct interaction with buyers,” said the officer. Akash managed bank transactions and supplies, Inderjeet connected Arun with a Punjab-based supplier named Gill through Instagram, while Vishal, a pharmacy graduate working at a toll plaza, supplied heroin for monetary gains.
Authorities highlighted that several of the accused came from financially distressed families. Many were previously employed as cobblers, street vendors, helpers, or daily-wage earners. “Some entered drug trafficking to fund medical treatments, settle debts, or earn quick profits,” police said, adding that while many had little formal education, a few were graduates working low-wage jobs before joining the drug trade.
