Chandigarh, Dec 10 – In a sweeping multi‑layered operation aimed at transforming Punjab into a drug‑free state following directives from Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Amritsar Commissionerate Police dismantled a well‑structured cross‑border drug cartel linked to foreign handlers. Director General of Police, Gaurav Yadav, confirmed the arrests of three key operatives during Wednesday’s press conference.
Police seized a total of 4.083 kg of methamphetamine (known as ICE) and 1.032 kg of heroin during the raid. The arrested individuals are:
– Balwinder Singh, alias Binder (25), of Daoke village, Amritsar;
– Navtej Singh (33), from Mahwa village, Amritsar, who now resides in a village in Tarn Taran;
– Mahabir Singh (32), from Kaaliya Sakataran village, Tarn Taran.
In addition to the drug haul, officers recovered ₹2,500 in “drug money” and seized the suspects’ vehicle and an Activa scooter.
Preliminary investigations suggest that the detainees were coordinating shipments with smugglers in Pakistan and beyond, using WhatsApp as a communication channel. Police continue to map the network’s connections.
Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar detailed operational specifics: Balwinder Singh was found with 35 g of ICE and, when questioned, disclosed ties to a Pakistan‑based trafficker who communicated drop locations via WhatsApp. Police then recovered an additional 2.042 kg of ICE, bringing the total recovered from him to 2.077 kg.
In a separate sweep, Navtej Singh was intercepted with 40 g of ICE. His background includes a stint in Doha, Qatar, where he linked up with a handler who later shifted operations to India using WhatsApp instructions. Police uncovered that Navtej served as a ground courier, picking up drug packets and forwarding them onward. Following his statements, they seized another 1.966 kg of ICE, totaling 2.006 kg recovered from him.
The third arrest involved Mahabir Singh, who possessed 1.032 kg of heroin. Investigations traced the consignments to a Pakistan‑based smuggler using drone drops – a sophisticated cross‑border delivery method. Three distinct cases have been filed: one on December 5 under Sections 21‑C and 29 of the NDPS Act, another on December 9 under Section 21‑C at Police Station Hakima, and a third on December 7 under Sections 22‑B and 22‑C of the NDPS Act at Police Station in Chheharta.
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