In one of the largest drug seizures in the region, the Counter Intelligence (CI) wing of Punjab Police apprehended two associates of the notorious Turkey-based drug smuggler Navpreet Singh, also known as Nav Bhullar, during a coordinated operation in the Baba Bakala area on Saturday night.
Authorities confiscated a staggering 105 kilograms of heroin, alongside significant quantities of other controlled substances, including 31.93 kilograms of Caffeine Anhydrous and 17 kilograms of dextromethorphan (DMR). These additives are commonly used to amplify the volume of illicit drugs, effectively quadrupling the contraband’s quantity. Additionally, law enforcement seized five foreign-made pistols and a locally manufactured firearm, referred to as a “desi katta.”
The individuals arrested have been identified as Navjot Singh, a resident of Guru Tegh Bahadur Colony in Baba Bakala, Amritsar, and Lovepreet Kumar from Kala Sanghian in Kapurthala. Both suspects were placed under three-day custody following their apprehension. Lovepreet Kumar was reportedly preparing for the IELTS examination, while Navjot Singh worked professionally as a photographer. Police investigations reveal that the duo had been engaged in the illegal drug trade for approximately three months, with suspicions pointing towards smuggling operations along the riverine routes of the Indo-Pak border.
Punjab Police Director General Gaurav Yadav stated that the CI wing received an intelligence tip-off regarding Nav Bhullar’s Pakistan-backed cross-border smuggling network. The operation, supervised by DSP CI Balbir Singh, targeted a rented residence on Lady Road in Baba Bakala, where the arrests took place. Initial searches uncovered 7 kilograms of heroin in the vehicle used by the suspects during their travels.
Following the suspects’ disclosure statements, a team of 50 policemen conducted a thorough raid on their rented accommodation, uncovering the remaining 98 kilograms of heroin, additional weapons, Caffeine Anhydrous, and DMR. The police are currently investigating the smuggling routes, with evidence suggesting the use of water pathways, as large rubber tubes were also seized during the operation.
DSP Balbir Singh highlighted that the arrested individuals had no prior criminal records. He added that Pakistan-based smugglers were responsible for delivering the contraband, which was then stored at the suspects’ residence. “The accused were intermediaries in a larger drug cartel, and we are actively pursuing further connections to dismantle the entire network,” Singh remarked.
An FIR has been filed under Sections 21, 25, and 29 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, as well as Section 25 of the Arms Act, at the State Special Operations Cell station. Investigations are ongoing to trace both upstream and downstream links within the drug trafficking syndicate, with authorities determined to arrest more individuals involved in the cartel.
In a dramatic twist during the raid, a man in an inebriated state accidentally drove his SUV into the police vehicles stationed roadside. The individual was later identified as a fellow policeman, raising questions about internal security protocols that are currently under review by the Punjab Police.
This significant crackdown underscores the Punjab Police’s commitment to combating drug trafficking and dismantling international smuggling networks operating within the state. Authorities continue to urge the public to assist in intelligence sharing to aid ongoing efforts to eradicate the drug menace.
