North News
Chandigarh, November 26
Punjab Police’s Anti-Narcotic Task Force (ANTF) has successfully executed the preventive detention of notorious drug smuggler Gurdeep Singh, also known as Raano Sarpanch, under the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotics Drugs Psychotropic Substances (PIT-NDPS) Act, said Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav on Tuesday. This is the second such preventive detention in the state as part of ongoing efforts to curb drug smuggling.
Singh, a resident of Raano village in Ludhiana, has been linked to international drug trafficking rings involving smugglers from Pakistan. His assets worth ₹7.80 crore have been frozen by authorities. Singh is a repeat offender with seven cases registered under the NDPS Act. Previous investigations uncovered large quantities of drugs and weapons, including heroin, amphetamines, and luxury cars. In October 2020, 31.4 kg of heroin and 6 kg of amphetamines were seized, and another major bust in November 2020 netted 5.7 kg of heroin, firearms, and ₹50.24 lakh in drug money.
This preventive detention follows a similar action taken last month against another drug smuggler, Avtar Singh, who was detained under the PIT-NDPS Act for two years. Singh has now been transferred to Bathinda Jail for strict monitoring, and Punjab Police have vowed to continue aggressive actions against drug traffickers.
