3 drug trafficking, arms supply networks busted in Punjab's Amritsar

Punjab Police dismantled three drug trafficking and illegal arms supply networks in Amritsar with the arrest of five people and recovery of over 3 kg of heroin, Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav said on Wednesday.

The Amritsar Police Commissionerate also recovered 13 pistols and 22 live cartridges, he said.

Five arrested in three operations

Those arrested have been identified as Krish Gold, 20, of Lohgarh; Kunal Mehta alias Kannu, 21, of Katra Dullo; Robin, 21, of Hindustan Basti; Jaskaran Singh alias Jass, 36, of Bhootanpura, all in Amritsar, and Jobanpreet Singh alias Joban, 22, of Naushehra Dhalla village in Tarn Taran.

Police said Jaskaran is a habitual offender with previous criminal cases registered against him under the NDPS Act and the Arms Act.

The recovered weapons include eight .30 bore PX-3 pistols, three .30 bore pistols, one 9MM Glock pistol, and one 9MM pistol, along with 22 cartridges.

Apart from recovering weapons and narcotics, police teams have also impounded their car, which they were using for smuggling activities.

Investigation revealed that the arrested accused are involved in the supply of illegal weapons and narcotics in the region.

Further investigation is underway to uncover the complete backwards and forward linkages in this case to identify other persons involved, including foreign-based handlers, he said.

Heroin and pistols recovered in first operation

Sharing details of the first operation, Commissioner of Police, Amritsar, Harmanbir Singh Gill said police teams arrested Krish Gold and Kunal Mehta and seized two .30 bore pistols from their possession, while three more pistols along with 14 cartridges and 1.227 kg heroin were recovered on Mehta's disclosure.

Subsequent interrogation led to the arrest of their accomplice Robin from Civil Lines, he said.

Two more operations lead to further seizures

In another operation, police teams intercepted a car and apprehended Jaskaran Singh after recovering 2.040 kg of heroin from the vehicle, the officer said.

In the third operation, he said police teams nabbed Jobanpreet Singh and recovered eight PX-3 pistols along with eight cartridges from his possession.