Int’l drug smuggling module busted in Amritsar; 2 held with 10 kg ICE, 4 kg heroin

In a major breakthrough against trans-border narcotics networks, the Amritsar Commissionerate Police has busted an international drug smuggling module with the arrest of two operatives and seizure of 10 kg of ICE (methamphetamine) and 4 kg of heroin, officials said today.

According to the police, the cartel was being operated by a handler based in Dubai, and the network extended its supply chains from Punjab to Delhi.

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Addressing a press conference, Amritsar Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar said the operation was part of the ongoing “War on Drugs” campaign launched by the Punjab Chief Minister.

“The Commissionerate Police has dismantled a massive drug cartel, recovering a commercial quantity of high-grade ICE and heroin,” Bhullar said.

Initial investigations revealed that both the arrested accused were in direct contact with international drug traffickers. While one of the accused is a resident of the Majha region, the other has close links to Dubai.

The Police Commissioner disclosed that one of the suspects had recently returned from Dubai, where he underwent specialized training in drug trafficking operations.

“The accused was trained in Dubai on how to conceal narcotics consignments, transport them securely across locations, and evade law enforcement agencies. He previously worked as a laborer and a medical representative but turned to drug smuggling in a bid to make quick money,” the top cop added.

The police further stated that the module was actively supplying drugs to various parts of Punjab’s Majha and Doaba regions, as well as Delhi. In their modus operandi, one of the accused was responsible for the safe transit of the consignments, while the second provided safe houses and storage facilities.

The accused already face prior cases registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and firing incidents, police said.

The operation was executed by a team led by DCP Investigation Ravinder Pal Singh, ADCP Kamaljit Singh, and Chheharta SHO Balwinder Singh.

A case under the relevant sections of the NDPS Act has been registered at the Chheharta Police Station. Investigations are underway to map the forward and backward linkages of the network, and more arrests are likely in the coming days, officials added.