Cross-border drug cartel busted with arrest of kingpin in Chandigarh
The police dismantled a Pakistan-backed international drug cartel, arresting nine accused, including the kingpin, and seizing heroin, vehicles and substantial drug money from them.
Approximately 300 gm heroin, Rs 5.12 lakh in drug proceeds, two Maruti Suzuki Ertiga cars and an electric scooter were confiscated during the operation. The investigation found that the network relied heavily on exploiting local youth.
According to the information, the mastermind, Gurmeet Singh, a resident of Jalalabad, Punjab, was in direct contact with Pakistan nationals Riyaz Sarvar and Aabid Ali from Kasur. Gurmeet, his father Satnam Singh and other associates, operated an intricate cross-border network.
Investigators revealed that the syndicate had trafficked more than one quintal of heroin into India over the past five years, employing clandestine techniques such as using a four-inch pipe across barbed wire fencing along the border during foggy conditions to evade detection. Gurmeet and Satnam came in contact with the Pakistan-based suppliers through Mahinder Singh, a Firozpur resident. In 2019, they smuggled 70 kg heroin for Mahinder.
The police operation commenced on April 14 when the Crime Branch team led by Inspetor Satvinder Singh apprehended two drug peddlers, Balkar Singh and Navneet Kaur acting on reliable intelligence. They were found in possession of 35.17 gm heroin, leading to a case being registered under sections 21 and 29 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act. Balkar, who was previously jailed in a rape case, worked alongside Navneet, a BTech graduate who had turned to drug peddling after being unable to secure a job. Navneet sourced heroin from her maternal uncle Satnam Singh, another key link in the cartel.
Further interrogation and disclosure statements resulted in raids across Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan
The operation was executed under the leadership of Director General of Police Raj Kumar and supervised by Superintendent of Police Jasbir Singh and Deputy Superintendent of Police Dheeraj.
Gurmeet Singh, already facing two previous cases under the NDPS Act, played a pivotal role as the central coordinator between Pakistan-based suppliers and local dealers. His modus operandi involved receiving heroin consignments directly from Pakistan, which were then distributed to a network of dealers and local smugglers.
Chamkor Singh, another associate, participated in surveillance missions along the border, facilitating the smuggling of 18 kg of heroin and hiding 1 kg drug packets in his house. He then provided it to his sister Navneet. Peddler Chotu was also instrumental in the cross-border operations and had Rs 5 lakh in drug money.
Police sources confirmed that the network was linked to Mahinder Singh, a notorious drug peddler from Ferozepur. The police pledged continued vigilance. “This operation is not the end, but a milestone in our relentless pursuit to rid Chandigarh of drugs,” a senior official said.
Chandigarh