In its drive against drug abuse, the Bathinda counter-intelligence wing of police has arrested a gang of smugglers who used to supply opium from Rajasthan to the state. The police had recovered 1.5 kg of opium and Rs. 2 lakh besides a car from the accused.

Those arrested have been identified as Mohinder Singh of Rajasthan, Sawaran Singh and Raghvir Singh of Haryana and Gurdev Singh of Sherpur village in Punjab. The police said opium came from Rajasthan to Punjab via Haryana.

Speaking to HT, inspector general of police (counter-intelligece) Bathinda zone, Jatindra Jain said, "The accused are habitual smugglers. We were following them for a long time and they threw some packets of opium into a sewer when they came to know that we are following them.

Gurdev Singh of Punjab was imprisoned for 10 years in a case registered at Jagraon police station where 30 kg of opium was recovered from him." He is allegedly involved in opium smuggling for the past 20 years, the IG said.