Chandigarh: Punjab police on Tuesday claimed to have busted an international drug cartel being operated by foreign-based smuggler with the arrest of its six key drug traffickers and recovered 40 kg heroin in Bathinda district.
Director General of Police (DGP), Punjab, Gaurav Yadav, said that the those arrested have been identified as Lakhvir Singh alias Lakha (33), Prabhjot Singh (26), Ranjodh Singh (27), Akash Marwaha (21), Rohit Kumar (25), and Gurcharan Singh alias Guri (27), all residents of Malout in Sri Muktsar Sahib district.
Accused persons Lakhvir Singh and Prabhjit Singh have criminal background with cases pertaining to Arms Act and NDPS Act registered against them respectively, he said and added that the development came close on the heels of Amritsar Commissionerate Police busting a drug cartel being operated by Pak-based smuggler Tanveer Shah and Canada-based handler Joban Kaler with the arrest of nine drug smugglers and recovered huge consignment of 60.302 kg heroin from near the international border in Barmer, Rajasthan.
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DGP Yadav said that preliminary investigations have revealed that the consignment was sent by Pakistan-based handlers for further distribution in Punjab.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Bathinda, Amneet Kondal, said that acting on a tip-off, a special operation was launched and a Fortuner car, with six occupants was intercepted, she said, while adding that during the search 40 Kg heroin was recovered from the vehicle.
