Amritsar Police Busts Drug Cartels, Arrests Key Operatives in Major Anti-Drug Operation

In Amritsar, Punjab, the Police Commissionerate achieved a significant breakthrough against an international drug network. On Wednesday, authorities announced the dismantling of two drug cartels, resulting in the arrest of eight key operatives. A substantial quantity of heroin, totaling 4.040 kg, was also seized.

The police statement revealed that an official from an enforcement agency was apprehended for abusing their position to aid the narco network. This individual was working in collusion with another suspect, Ravi, who had connections to smugglers operating from outside the country.

Following the initial arrests, further investigation led to the apprehension of six additional individuals. These individuals were allegedly involved in drug smuggling and the operation of a hawala network used to launder drug money. Multiple First Information Reports (FIRs) have been filed under the NDPS Act at police stations in Chheharta and Ranjit Avenue. The investigation is ongoing, with efforts focused on identifying and dismantling the entire network.

Earlier, on April 8th, law enforcement officials arrested 71 suspected drug smugglers. During these arrests, authorities recovered 1.8 kg of heroin, 4.9 kg of opium, 13,362 intoxicant capsules and tablets, and Rs 9,000 in drug money.

The operations were conducted across all 28 police districts in the state, under the direction of the Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab, Gaurav Yadav. The Chief Minister, Bhagwant Singh Mann, has instructed police commissioners, deputy commissioners, and senior superintendents of police to work towards making Punjab a drug-free state. A five-member Cabinet Sub-Committee, led by Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, has been formed to oversee the efforts against drugs.

Special DGP Law and Order Arpit Shukla provided further details, stating that over 180 police teams, comprising more than 900 personnel and supervised by 60 gazetted officers, conducted raids at 350 locations throughout the state. This resulted in the registration of 43 FIRs. During the day-long operation, police teams also checked 404 suspicious individuals.