India

Punjab Police arrest drug smuggler wanted in 77 kg heroin recovery case

Punjab’s Faridkot Police have arrested the key accused in a 77-kg heroin recovery case, a senior police official said.

The accused have been identified as Gulab Singh, police said.

“Amidst the ongoing campaign to make Punjab a drug-free state as per directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Faridkot Police achieved a breakthrough in combating cross-border narco smuggling with the arrest of a big fish drug smuggler identified as Gulab Singh, who is a key accused wanted in the 77kg heroin recovery case, said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav here on Saturday,” as per a Information and Public Relations Department, Punjab press release.

The development came about a year after State Special Operation Cell (SSOC) Fazilka had busted two separate cross-border drug smuggling rackets with the arrest of four drug traffickers after recovering 77.8Kg heroin (41.8Kg+36Kg) and three pistols from their possession. The consignment had come via the riverine route. Two separate cases were registered in this regard and the arrested accused was wanted by the Punjab Police in both the cases.

DGP Gaurav Yadav said that the arrested accused had played a pivotal role in in delivery of 36kg of the contraband and in maintaining connections with Pakistan-based smugglers. “His (Gulab Singh) arrest is poised to significantly disrupt the entire smuggling network and prevent future trafficking activities,” he said.

The DGP said that Gulab Singh’s arrest is a result of meticulous and professional investigation and sustained follow-up of Backward linkages. Further financial investigations are underway to trace the money trail and freeze assets acquired through illicit drug proceeds, he added.

“Sharing operation details, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Faridkot Dr Pragya Jain, while addressing the press conference, said that following meticulous technical and human-intel based operation, police teams from CIA Faridkot, Special Branch, SHO Sadiq and Technical Cell in a joint operation under the supervision of SP Investigation Jasmeet Singh rounded up accused Gulab Singh from Bus Stand in village Rupyianwali, who was on the run since one year,” as per the release.

She said that as part of the strategy to pursue backward linkages in heavy recoveries, the police teams have thoroughly investigated this case and have been on the lookout for accused Gulab Singh for the last 10 days.

The SSP said that the arrested accused had arranged for divers to retrieve the consignment of heroin and weapons and was in touch with Pakistan-based smugglers via various apps. Accused Gulab Singh, is a seasoned criminal and has been facing several criminal cases in Faridkot and other districts of the state, she added.

ANI

Ani service

Recent Posts

VINBAX 2024: Vietnam-India bilateral army exercise concludes at Kaushalya Dam

The fifth edition of the historic Indo-Vietnam Joint Field Training Exercise, VINBAX-2024, successfully concluded its…

6 hours ago

India-Russia strengthen defence ties at 22nd Working Group meeting on military technical cooperation

The 22nd meeting of the India-Russia Working Group on Military technical cooperation and defence industry…

6 hours ago

“I want to have strong representation of India at World Nuclear Exhibition 2025”: Sylvie Bermann

Sylvie Bermann, President of the World Nuclear Exhibition expressed confidence in India's nuclear supply chain…

8 hours ago

PoJK: Joint Awami Action Committee protests against government following new ordinance, many injured

Joint Awami Action Committee core member Shaukat Nawaz Mir has condemned the attack of police…

8 hours ago

PM Modi meets 31 world leaders, heads of organisations during his 3-nation foreign visit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in 31 Bilateral Meetings and informal interactions with global leaders…

10 hours ago

India- Australia conduct 11th Indian Air Force-Royal Australian Air Force Air Staff Talks

India and Australia conducted the 11th edition of the Indian Air Force and Royal Australian…

10 hours ago