Illegal Drug Trade: In a significant breakthrough, the anti-drug special task force (STF) of Punjab Police has successfully dismantled a cross-border drug smuggling network, apprehending three key members of the operation.
STF conducted a well-coordinated operation and arrested of the culprits in Mehimad Mandra village, situated in the Amritsar district. The successful raid resulted in the confiscation of a staggering 41kg of heroin that had been illicitly transported from Pakistan through the Ravi river.
The accused have been identified as Agyapal Singh, aged 27, hailing from Ghumrai village, Ranjodh Singh, known as Rana, aged 26, from Mehimad Mandra village, and Sandeep Singh from Panjgrain village in Amritsar.
Assistant Inspector General (AIG) Mukhtiar Rai, who leads the STF, disclosed the details of the operation during a press conference held in Amritsar.
The STF's Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Vawinder Mahajan headed the operation which aimed to disrupt the network of smugglers operating in collaboration with Pakistani nationals to facilitate the trafficking of heroin across the border.
The operation was triggered by a vital piece of intelligence that Agyapal, the alleged mastermind behind the drug smuggling module, along with his two accomplices, had successfully transported a consignment of heroin from Pakistan.
Acting swiftly, the STF conducted a targeted raid at Mehimad Mandra village, resulting in the recovery of the substantial 41kg heroin haul from Ranjodh's residence. Subsequently, all three individuals were taken into custody following the discovery of the narcotics.
Initial investigations have unveiled that Agyapal Singh maintained communication with Pakistani drug smugglers, suggesting a cross-border collaboration that spanned international boundaries.
The heroin seized during the operation was suspected to have been trafficked via the Ravi river, capitalizing on recent increases in water levels to facilitate the illicit transfer. Authorities are now delving into the intricate details of this riverine route, as the arrested individuals reportedly confessed to having successfully smuggled five to six similar consignments into India from Pakistan.
AIG Rai emphasized that the investigation is ongoing and the focus now shifts to establishing the broader connections and networks linked to the apprehended suspects. The STF is determined to unveil the extent of the operation and trace the various channels that have facilitated the smuggling activities.
A case has been registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act at the STF's Mohali police station. The successful operation stands as a testament to the diligent efforts of the Punjab Police's anti-drug task force and marks a significant blow against the illegal drug trade that seeks to undermine the region's security and well-being.