Punjab: Cross-border drug smuggling network busted, one held with 5.11 kg heroin

In a major breakthrough amid the ongoing drive to make Punjab a drug-free state as per the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, State Special Operations Cell (SSOC), Fazilka, in a joint operation with Border Security Force (BSF), has apprehended one drug smuggler and recovered 5.11 kg heroin from his possession.

Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav said here on Saturday that the arrested accused has been identified as Baljit Singh, a resident of village Dhandi Qadim in Jalalabad, Fazilka.

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DGP Gaurav Yadav said preliminary investigation has indicated that the recovered heroin consignment was sourced from Pakistan and delivered via drone by Pak-based smuggler.

The contraband was meant to be distributed further across the state, said the DGP, adding that further investigation is underway to establish forward and backward linkages of the network.

Sharing operational details, AIG SSOC Fazilka Gursewak Singh said acting upon a specific tipoff, a police team of SSOC Fazilka along with BSF launched a special secret operation in the Jalalabad area. During the operation, the suspected individual was apprehended from the area of Village Dhandi Qadim in Fazilka. During his personal search, 5.11 kg of heroin was recovered from his possession, he added.

In this regard, an FIR has been registered under Section 21-C of the NDPS Act at Police Station SSOC Fazilka.