Punjab drug bust: Four arrested with 16.8 kg heroin in Phagwara, Pakistan-Dubai link suspected
Punjab drug bust: In a significant crackdown on cross-border narcotics smuggling, the Kapurthala police have arrested four persons, including a woman and seized 16.8 kg of heroin in Phagwara.
DGP Gaurav Yadav said the arrested accused have been identified as Balwinder Singh, a resident of Pandori Mohalla in Sultanpur Lodhi; Sumanpreet Kaur from Gohalwar village in Amritsar; and Harpal Singh and Jaskaranbir Singh, both residents of Dauke village in Amritsar district. The police also seized a grey Maruti Baleno car used by the accused.
According to the DGP, preliminary investigations indicate that the smuggling operation was being controlled by handlers based in Pakistan and Dubai. The seized heroin consignment had reportedly been sourced from the Amritsar border region and was meant for delivery in Chandigarh.
Police officials said efforts are underway to identify both backward and forward linkages of the network. Further arrests and additional recoveries are expected.
Sharing operational details, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Kapurthala Gaurav Toora said that acting on specific intelligence, police teams laid a trap to intercept the suspects.
“When signalled to stop, the accused attempted to flee and even tried to run over the police team. After a high-speed chase, police personnel opened fire at the car’s tyres to stop the vehicle,” the SSP said. A subsequent search led to the recovery of 16.8 kg heroin from the vehicle.
A case has been registered.
- PTC NEWS
