His social media presence showed a penchant for making reels. His police record, however, tells a different story.Sukhpreet Singh, alias Sukh, 30, of Jaintipur, allegedly emerged a key link in a cross-border narcotics and arms smuggling network busted by the Amritsar Commissionerate Police, exposing how a repeat offender was allegedly drawn into a sophisticated supply chain involving foreign-based handlers and consignments routed across the International Border.Sukhpreet was among five persons arrested in the case in which the police seized 21.299 kg of heroin, 970 gm of ICE (methamphetamine), a .30-bore pistol and four live cartridges.According to the police, he has the hobby of making reels on the social media. What added another layer to the investigation is Sukhpreet’s criminal antecedent.Officials said he had been booked in five previous cases under the NDPS Act, yet he allegedly continued to operate in the narcotics network. Investigators are now examining whether his earlier involvement in drug offences helped him establish contacts and move deeper into the cross-border supply chain.A probe has indicated that the local operatives were allegedly connected to a foreign-based handler, who introduced them to a Pakistan-based handler for arranging the movement of drugs and weapons across the border. The exact role of the handlers is being probed.The case began with the arrest of Gagan, alias Dishka, 23, and Jaspinder Singh, 25, both residents of Nikosaran village in Gurdaspur. A .30-bore pistol and four cartridges were recovered from them. Their interrogation led to the recovery of 1.01 kg heroin and 970 gm ICE, police said.The probe subsequently led investigators to Sukhpreet, Abhishek Sabharwal, alias Abhi, 25, of Sharma Colony, Amritsar, and Manpreet Singh, alias Mannu, 26, of Channanke village in Amritsar Rural. Another 20.2 kg heroin was recovered following their arrest, taking the total recovery to 21.299 kg.The five accused have been sent to judicial custody.