Smuggling cartel busted, 6 held with 40 kg heroin in Bathinda

The police have busted an international drug cartel with the arrest of six traffickers and seizure of 40 kg of heroin from their SUV (Toyota Fortuner) here on Tuesday.

Those arrested have been identified as Lakhvir Singh, alias Lakha (33), Prabhjot Singh (26), Ranjodh Singh (27), Akash Marwaha (21), Rohit Kumar (25) and Gurcharan Singh, alias Guri (27), all residents of Malout in Muktsar. Lakhvir and Prabhjot are already facing cases under the Arms Act and NDPS Act.

The development comes close on the heels of the Amritsar police busting a drug cartel operated by Pak-based smuggler Tanveer Shah and Canada-based handler Joban Kaler with the arrest of nine smugglers and seizure of 60.30 kg of heroin from near the International Border in Barmer, Rajasthan.

DGP Gaurav Yadav said preliminary investigation revealed that the consignment was sent by Pakistan-based handlers for further distribution in Punjab.

The DGP said probe was underway to establish forward and backward linkages of the accused and uncover the entire drug supply chain.

Bathinda Senior Superintendent of Police Amneet Kondal said they received specific inputs about drugs being smuggled in the area. Acting swiftly, a team from the CIA Staff-1 intercepted the SUV with six occupants, said Kondal, adding that cops seized 40 kg of heroin during inspection of the vehicle.

The SSP said probe revealed that drugs were being smuggled from across the border and routed through local traffickers in Punjab. More accused associated with Pakistan-based handlers were being identified, the SSP said.

An FIR has been registered against the accused under Section 21C of the NDPS Act.

Punjab