Kangra, April 18: Nurpur police have uncovered a Dubai-linked drug network operating across northern India, arresting six individuals and recovering Rs 1.2 crore in cash, nearly 2 kilograms of gold, and over 99 grams of silver jewellery.
Authorities also froze five bank accounts holding Rs 52.52 lakh, all opened by the main accused in relatives’ names.
The racket, according to police, was spearheaded by Lakhvinder Singh and his son Vishal, alias Shallu, residents of Bhadroya in Damtal police jurisdiction. Vishal, previously arrested on February 1, 2023, with over 1 kg of heroin and Rs 1.04 crore in illicit proceeds, was granted bail by the state high court but later fled the country and is currently believed to be operating from Dubai.
“After securing bail, Vishal disappeared and allegedly flew to Dubai, where he coordinated drug shipments and managed the network with his father,” said Nurpur Superintendent of Police Ashok Ratan.
The investigation began with a breakthrough on October 27, 2023, when Damtal police arrested Kanwal Jeet of Chheharta, Amritsar, with 262 grams of heroin. The case, registered under Section 21 of the NDPS Act, led to extensive interrogation and the unearthing of an international smuggling operation.
The next major arrest came on April 13, when police nabbed Raj Kumar, alias Sethi, also from Bhadroya. He already faced six cases under the NDPS and Indian Arms Acts. Within a week of his arrest, five more were taken into custody, exposing the entire network.
According to SP Ratan, Vishal oversaw heroin trafficking through various methods, including drone drops in Amritsar. “Rajesh Kumar of Arjun Nagar, Chheharta, arrested on April 8, collected the contraband in Amritsar and passed it to courier Kamaljeet, also from Arjun Nagar. Kamaljeet delivered synthetic drugs to Pathankot, Gurdaspur and Nurpur as directed by Vishal via a WhatsApp group named ‘Sahallu-Balli’,” he said.
Police also discovered that Lakhvinder Singh had been stockpiling cash and jewellery, which he kept with a Pathankot-based goldsmith, Gagan Sarna of Saingarh. A raid on Sarna’s home on April 16 resulted in the seizure of Rs 1.15 crore and 1.25 kg of gold.
Another accused, Mohit Singh alias Tony, a 15-year-old associate of Gagan from Sunder Nagar, was arrested with Rs 4.90 lakh cash, 67.93 grams of gold and 95.45 grams of silver jewellery.
Officials are continuing the probe, as police work to dismantle the remaining links of the smuggling operation.
