Chandigarh, March 22 – In a major breakthrough, the Punjab Police's Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF), in a joint operation with the Border Security Force (BSF), has busted a Pakistan-backed smuggling module by arresting three masterminds and recovering 24.5 kg of heroin and Rs 21 lakh in drug money from their possession, Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav said here on Sunday.
Those arrested have been identified as Jagjit Singh, alias Rana, a resident of Noorwal village in Amritsar; Manpreet Singh, alias Preet, a resident of Aulakh Khurd village in Amritsar; and Roshan Singh, a resident of Dhupsari village in Amritsar.
Besides recovering the heroin and drug money, BSF and police teams have also seized a multi-copter drone, which was used by Pakistan-based smugglers to deliver the consignment across the border, and two cars, including a Mahindra Thar SUV, used for transporting the narcotics.
DGP Yadav said that preliminary investigations have revealed direct links between the arrested accused and handlers based in Pakistan.
Following a technical investigation, police teams have successfully dismantled this Pakistan-linked cross-border network.
The DGP further said that the investigation is ongoing to establish the links in this case. Sharing more details, Superintendent of Police (ANTF) Gurpreet Singh said that the operation was conducted in two stages, as initially 12.1 kg of heroin along with a multi-copter drone was recovered.
After forensic analysis of the drone, including its technical data, latitude-longitude and tower dump analysis, led to the further seizure of 12.4 kg of heroin from Manpreet Singh's house, bringing the total recovery to 24.5 kg of heroin, he said.
He said that accused Jagjit Rana had recently purchased properties in upscale areas using drug money and was also fond of cars.
More arrests and recoveries are expected in this case as the investigation progresses, he said.
In this regard, a case has been registered under Sections 21 (c) and 23 of the NDPS Act and Sections 25, 26 and 29 of the Aircraft Act at Police Station in Mohali.
