In a collaborative effort between the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) and Barmer Police, two arrested smugglers, Salman Khan and Shankar Ram, have unveiled a clandestine international drug smuggling network. Salman Khan, the main suspect, revealed his communication with a Pakistani handler named Masad from Nimla village in Pakistan. This connection, facilitated by Rahim Khan, a local resident and purported relative of the handler, enticed Salman into the drug trade due to financial difficulties.
Investigations led by Rajasthan Additional Director General of Police (ADG) (Crime), Dinesh M.N., disclosed the network’s digital and location-centric modus operandi. The Pakistani handler would convey GPS coordinates through WhatsApp calls, guiding the accused to specific locations, often in restricted border regions or beneath isolated Khejri trees. At these sites, Salman would unearth buried narcotics packets and receive cash payments either digitally or concealed at designated spots.
During interrogation, Salman admitted to recovering narcotics packets near the international border and receiving cash rewards for prior deliveries. The police uncovered that this drug network has been active for years, with similar activities reported in border areas like Bhabhutiyon ki Dhani. The operation maintained strict secrecy, with operatives unaware of each other’s identities and all communication records routinely erased post-task completion.
Authorities are now scrutinizing Salman’s mobile data, WhatsApp chats, and financial transactions while conducting a search for Rahim Khan to dismantle the broader cross-border network. Rajasthan ADG Dinesh M.N. revealed alarming disclosures by Salman, indicating the network’s involvement in smuggling explosives and illegal weapons. In response, security agencies have heightened vigilance and initiated raids to apprehend suspects and uncover potential hideouts.
