Punjab Police disclosed the arrest of six individuals, including an Army personnel and a dismissed Punjab Police worker, in connection with a Pakistan-linked international drug cartel. The authorities seized 4.8 kg of heroin, a pistol, and drug money from the suspects. Among those apprehended were Jarnail Singh from the Indian Army, Amardeep Singh, Dimple Rani, Ramandeep Kaur, Sarabjit Singh, and Amritpal Singh from Moga district.
Police confiscated 4.8 kg of heroin, Rs 30,000 in suspected drug proceeds, a .30 bore pistol, and three cartridges from the accused. Additionally, two vehicles purportedly used for drug trafficking, a Thar and an XUV-500, were impounded. The arrests stemmed from a two-month intelligence-driven operation involving jail-based interceptions that exposed the network’s transnational connections.
According to DGP Yadav, initial inquiries suggested that the suspects communicated with smugglers based in Pakistan who allegedly utilized drones to transport heroin shipments across the border into India. Authorities are conducting further investigations to unravel the network’s complete structure and identify other accomplices.
Senior Superintendent of Police Pragya Jain mentioned that a breakthrough occurred when a CIA Staff team intercepted a Thar vehicle near Green Avenue, leading to the seizure of 1.008 kg of heroin and cash. Subsequently, four occupants were apprehended. The detainees revealed that Amardeep Singh, traveling in an XUV-500, was the supplier. Following this revelation, police intercepted Amardeep Singh and Dimple Rani, recovering an additional 3.796 kg of heroin and a pistol.
SSP Jain highlighted Amardeep Singh’s criminal history with nine prior cases and the involvement of other suspects in cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and the Arms Act. The accused allegedly exploited official identity cards to bypass security checks at various points. Authorities have secured custody of the suspects for further questioning to identify handlers across the border and trace the distribution network within Punjab.
