The North News
Chandigarh, April 10
In a significant blow to cross-border smuggling networks, Punjab Police have arrested three individuals suspected of operating a narco-hawala ring in the Amritsar region. Ranjit Singh, alias Rana, Gurdev Singh, alias Gedi, and Shailendra Singh, alias Selu, were taken into custody by Amritsar Rural Police, Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav said on Wednesday. The arrests are part of an ongoing crackdown on drug trafficking and illegal financial operations linked to Pakistan.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Yadav said that the trio are believed to be engaged in cross-border heroin smuggling and underground hawala transactions used to fund illicit activities. Police recovered 500 grams of heroin, a Glock 9mm pistol with two magazines, and ₹33 lakh in suspected hawala funds.
An FIR has been registered at Lopoke Police Station in Amritsar. Investigators are now working to identify the wider network behind the smuggling and financial transfers, focusing on both upstream suppliers and downstream recipients, Yadav added.
