The police have confiscated over 11 kg of heroin in three incidents in Amritsar in the past 24 hours.While the Amritsar city police commissionerate seized 6.1 kg contraband, the counter-intelligence wing impounded 4 kg heroin. Eight persons, including a juvenile, were arrested and two cases lodged. The Amritsar rural police also arrested a drug peddler with 1 kg heroin.“In a major strike against cross-border narco-smuggling, the Commissionerate Police, Amritsar, busts a well-organised heroin trafficking cartel with direct links to Pakistan-based smugglers,” posted DGP Gaurav Yadav on X.He said the Chheharta police arrested a drug trafficker, Sarbjit, alias Joban, a resident of Dhanoe village, who was in contact with notorious Pakistani smuggler Rana. Sarabjit was nabbed, along with a juvenile, for possessing 1 kg heroin. During their interrogation, the police further arrested two more smugglers, Dharam Singh, alias Happy, and Kulbir Singh, alias Gurdip, both residents of Ajnala, with over 5 kg heroin.“A preliminary probe revealed that Sarabjit, who is facing an NDPS case, was active in the cross-border drug peddling. He had received a number of consignments of drugs and weapons from different parts of the border belt in the past. Their interrogation may lead to recovery of more heroin and weapons,” said Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar. The investigation also revealed that Sarabjit had gone to the US via the ‘dunki route’ but was deported. After coming to India, he started illicit drug trade. He used to take a house on rent and use it as a store, said sources.The police seized total 6.1 kg of heroin and two bikes from their possession. Dharam Singh was already facing a case under the Arms Act, the police said.Meanwhile, the counter-intelligence wing seized 4 kg of narcotics from four smugglers from Kathania village at Attari.Those arrested have been identified as Ranjit Singh, Karan Masih, Manpreet Singh and Ajaypal Singh. Apart from them, the police have booked Pakistani smuggler Shah in the case.The police got a tip-off that Ranjit Singh and Masih were involved in smuggling of drugs and that they recently retrieved a huge drug consignment transported from Pakistan via drones. The informer said they were going to deliver the consignment to Manpreet and Ajaypal at the Kathania bus stop. Following this, a raid was conducted and all accused were arrested with the contraband. The police also seized their mobile phones.
11 kg heroin seized, 9 held in Amritsar
