The Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF), Ferozepur range, busted a cross-border drug-smuggling network with the arrest of three persons, including two ITI students, and recovered 30.672 kg of heroin from a Hyundai Verna in Ferozepur on Tuesday.
The seizure comes barely three days after the recovery of 30.2 kg of heroin in Fazilka, in a joint operation by the Counter Intelligence (CI), Ferozepur, and the Border Security Force (BSF).
The accused have been identified as Anmolpreet Singh, alias Anmol (24), Akash Singh (22) and Anshpreet Singh alias Ansh (25), all residents of Ferozepur city.
According to additional director general of police (ANTF) Nilabh Kishore, the latest seizure was made following specific intelligence inputs about the movement of a large consignment of heroin after its alleged retrieval from the border area.
Acting on information, an ANTF team laid a trap along the Ferozepur-Fazilka road and intercepted the Hyundai Verna near Ali Ke village, under the jurisdiction of Sadar Ferozepur police station. A search of the vehicle resulted in the recovery of the heroin and the arrest of the three suspects.
Pak-based smuggler under scanner
{{/usCountry}}Pak-based smuggler under scanner
{{/usCountry}}Preliminary investigation, being conducted under the supervision of superintendent of police (SP, ANTF), Ferozepur range, Gurinderbir Singh Sidhu, has revealed a suspected Pakistan-based link to the consignment. Police said the heroin was allegedly pushed into India by a Pakistan-based smuggler identified as Shah Pathan and subsequently received by an Indian smuggler in the Ali Ke area. Investigators suspect that Anmolpreet was playing a key role in the local network and was allegedly managing its operations.
The police are also probing the role of Sunny, a resident of Kilche village, who reportedly helped Anmolpreet establish contact with Pakistan-based smugglers. Sunny, however, died recently in a road accident, according to investigators.
The probe is now being expanded to establish the complete backward and forward linkages of the alleged trafficking network and identify other persons involved in the movement and distribution of the contraband.
The investigation has also revealed that two of the arrested men are pursuing technical courses.
Police said Anmolpreet is pursuing the painter trade at ITI Ferozepur, while Akash is pursuing a draftsman civil course at the same institute. The third accused, Anshpreet, works as an assistant with a private architect.
The Hyundai Verna allegedly used to transport the heroin is registered in Anshpreet’s name, police said.
According to the police, Anmolpreet and Akash had also previously been booked in a case under Section 325 (voluntarily causing grievous hurt) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
A case has been registered at the ANTF police station, SAS Nagar, under Sections 21 and 29 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.
The investigation is now focused on tracing the source of the consignment, identifying its intended recipients and establishing the wider network allegedly operating behind the smuggling operation. Police are also attempting to identify the local receiver who allegedly took delivery of the heroin in the Ali Ke area.
Operative linked to foreign-based gangster held
The DGP said the accused has been identified as Jasdeep Singh, alias Jassa, 25, a resident of Bir Behman village in Bathinda.
A case under Section 25 of the Arms Act has been registered at Kotwali police station in Bathinda.
The statement further revealed that the accused procured the illegal weapon on the direction of a foreign-based gangster and was allegedly planning to commit a crime in the state.
Additional director general of police (ADGP), AGTF, Promod Ban said that AGTF teams noticed the accused’s suspicious movement near Government Rajindra College while on routine patrol.
During his search, the AGTF team recovered the pistol along with two live cartridges from his possession, the ADGP said in the press release.
Ban added that Jassa has a criminal history and has been involved in various criminal cases, including those registered under the Arms Act.