Major heroin smuggling network busted in Faridkot, six arrested including Army jawan; links traced to Pakistan
Faridkot (The Uttam Hindu): Punjab Police have uncovered a large international heroin smuggling network in Faridkot and arrested six individuals. Among those held are an Army jawan and a dismissed employee of the Punjab Armed Police. During the investigation, it was revealed that the network had direct links with smugglers based in Pakistan, who were sending heroin consignments across the border using drones. Shockingly, the entire operation was allegedly being controlled by an accused lodged inside a jail.
Large quantity of heroin, weapons and vehicles seized
During the operation, police recovered 4.8 kg of heroin, Rs 30,000 in drug money, a .30 bore pistol and three live cartridges from the accused. A Thar and an XUV-500 vehicle used for smuggling were also seized. The arrested accused have been identified as Amardeep Singh alias Boxer, Dimple Rani, Ramandeep Kaur, Sarabjit Singh alias Sabba, Amritpal Singh alias Abhijot and Jarnail Singh alias Goldy. Amardeep Singh is a dismissed police employee, while Jarnail Singh is an Army jawan who was home on leave.
Accused caught during late night checking
Providing details, SSP Dr Pragya Jain said that during the intervening night of February 20-21, the CIA staff stopped a suspicious Thar vehicle on Green Avenue Road. Under the leadership of DSP Tarlochan Singh, police recovered 1 kg 8 grams of heroin and Rs 30,000 from the vehicle and immediately arrested four accused. During interrogation, they admitted that the consignment was supplied by Amardeep Singh alias Boxer, who arrived in an XUV-500, and that Rs 2.60 lakh had been exchanged for the deal.
Police later chased and arrested Amardeep Singh and his associate Dimple Rani near village Goleana Sem Nala. A search of their vehicle led to the recovery of 3 kg 796 grams of heroin along with a weapon.
Raid conducted inside Central Modern Jail Faridkot
After indications that the network was being operated from inside jail, a special search operation was carried out at the Central Modern Jail Faridkot. According to Assistant Superintendent Veerpal Singh, surprise inspections were conducted in various barracks on the directions of the Jail Superintendent. During the search, six mobile phones were recovered from inmates.
Based on the jail administration’s complaint, police have registered a case under the Jail Act at City Police Station against five named inmates and one unidentified person. The named accused include Manjit Singh from Patiala, Gurbinder Singh from Moga, Kulbir Singh from Amritsar and Gurmandeep Singh from Tarn Taran. Police are continuing efforts to identify and arrest others linked to the network.