North News
Chandigarh, May 16
In one of the largest narcotics seizures of the year, Punjab Police have seized 85kg of heroin and arrested a key operative linked to a Pakistan-based smuggling network controlled by ISI and coordinated by a UK-based handler. The drugs were being funneled across the border and distributed across the state. The Police have arrested Amarjot Singh, also known as Jota Sandhu, a resident of Bhittewad village in Amritsar’s rural belt, in connection with the syndicate. Police recovered 85 kilograms of heroin during the raid, a haul valued at hundreds of crores on the international market, said Punjab DGP Gauav Yadav,
While sharing details, he said that Amarjot was the key operative in India, responsible for receiving heroin consignments smuggled across the Pakistan border and distributing them throughout Punjab. ‘His home, investigators said, was used as a major storage hub for the international drug network. The Police have identified the alleged mastermind as Lalli, a suspected narcotics trafficker based in the United Kingdom. The Police believe Lalli directed the movement of heroin across borders using contacts within Pakistan, with logistical support from operatives on the ground in Punjab,” he added.
An FIR has been lodged, and police said investigations are underway to trace both the supply chain into India and the downstream distribution network. “We are actively following up on leads and anticipate further arrests and recoveries in the coming days,” said the DGP further said.
