Punjab Police's Counter Intelligence (CI) wing in Amritsar has busted a cross-border narcotics smuggling module, with the arrest of three individuals and recovery of 17 kilogrammes of heroin, a top officer said on Saturday.
Cross-border narcotics module busted
With this latest seizure, the CI Amritsar has made the total recovery of 54 kg of heroin in just four days, having previously recovered 27 kg and 10 kg heroin consignments.
Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav said a preliminary investigation revealed that the accused were allegedly operating in coordination with cross-border smugglers and receiving heroin consignments for further supply.
Those arrested have been identified as Prince, Malkit Singh, and Rajinder Singh, all residents of Kot Mit Singh, Khalsa Nagar plot in Amritsar.
Police recover 17 kg heroin
Apart from recovering 17 kg of heroin, police also impounded a car used for transporting the illicit contraband.
Sharing operational details, he said that CI Amritsar teams had received specific input that three operatives of the cross-border smuggling module had received a consignment dropped from a drone.
He further said the accused expected to strike a major drug deal beneath the flyover on the Amritsar-Tarn Taran road.
Acting promptly on the input, police teams set up a checkpoint and intercepted their car near the park near the flyover, he said. While searching, 17 kg of heroin was recovered from their possession, Yadav said.
Probe underway to trace wider network
The DGP said further investigation is underway to establish the complete forward and backward linkages in this case to identify other persons involved and dismantle the wider cross-border narcotics smuggling network.
An FIR has been registered at the State Special Operation Cell police station in Amritsar.