Punjab Newsline | Pathankot

Pathankot police have arrested two alleged drug traffickers and seized 17 kilograms of chura post (poppy husk) during a special checking operation at the interstate Madhopur checkpost on the Punjab–Jammu and Kashmir border.

According to police, the accused were transporting the narcotics concealed between cartons of apples loaded in a truck coming from Jammu and Kashmir. The contraband was allegedly being smuggled under the cover of a legitimate apple consignment destined for Madhya Pradesh.

Acting on directions from the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), a Sujanpur police team had set up a special checkpoint at Madhopur. During the operation, officers stopped a suspicious truck arriving from the Jammu and Kashmir side for inspection.

A thorough search of the vehicle, including its cabin and cargo section, led to the recovery of a sack containing 17 kg of chura post hidden among apple boxes. Police immediately detained the two occupants of the truck and seized the narcotics.

Preliminary interrogation revealed that the accused had allegedly arranged an apple consignment from Kashmir and were using it as a cover to transport the illegal substance. The consignment was reportedly being taken to Madhya Pradesh.

A DSP said that one of the arrested men, identified as Satnam Singh, has a criminal record and was previously booked under the Excise Act in an illegal liquor case. Police are now investigating the backward and forward linkages of the trafficking network to identify suppliers, receivers, and other associates involved in the operation.

A case has been registered, and further investigation is underway.