Punjab Newsline | Amritsar
Amritsar Police have busted a major cross-border drug and weapons smuggling network operating through international links, Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav confirmed on Thursday.
Two accused have been arrested in the operation, identified as Arshdeep Singh alias Arsh (21) and Tarseem Singh alias Kairon alias Pahalwan (31), both residents of Tarn Taran district. Authorities recovered 4.108 kg heroin, four modern pistols, and five live cartridges from their possession.
According to Amritsar Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar, Arshdeep Singh was first arrested with 2.6 kg of heroin. During interrogation, his associate Tarseem Singh was also apprehended, leading to the recovery of an additional 1.5 kg heroin along with four pistols.
The seized weapons include two Austria-made 9mm Glock pistols and two China-made .30 bore pistols.
Investigations have revealed that Tarseem Singh is closely associated with gangster Gurpreet Singh alias Krishna Jandiala, who is currently based abroad. Tarseem has multiple criminal cases registered against him, including under the NDPS Act, Arms Act, Jail Act, and attempted murder, totaling 16 cases. Police said Krishna Jandiala allegedly lured him with promises of arranging a fake passport and sending him abroad in exchange for working for the gang.
DGP Gaurav Yadav further stated that preliminary investigations indicate both accused were in contact with Pakistan-based smugglers via social media platforms. The drugs and weapons were reportedly being dropped across the border using drones and then distributed further within Punjab.
Police have now expanded the investigation to trace other members and linkages of this international smuggling network.
