In a significant triumph against cross-border narcotics trafficking, Fazilka Police, in collaboration with the Border Security Force (BSF), has dismantled an international drug smuggling operation. The crackdown led to the apprehension of seven individuals involved in the illicit trade. According to Punjab’s Director General of Police (DGP), Gaurav Yadav, authorities seized 5.47 kilograms of high-purity heroin and ₹1.07 lakh in drug proceeds from the suspects.
The arrested individuals have been identified as Baljinder Singh alias Lovely (21), Sukhchain Singh alias Lucky (19), Solav Singh (19) from Peere Ke Uttar village in Fazilka, Gurcharan Singh alias Milkha (21) from Chak Swaah Wala village in Fazilka, Karandeep Singh (29) from Badal Ke village in Fazilka, Daljit Singh alias Maani (23) from Mahatam Nagar in Fazilka, and Kamaldeep Singh (32) from Kot Gobindpura village in Kapurthala. Notably, Kamaldeep Singh has a history of criminal activity and was already facing charges under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act in Kapurthala.
In addition to the heroin and drug money, law enforcement recovered 40 live cartridges, six mobile phones, 8.4 grams of gold, and 68.97 grams of silver from the suspects. Furthermore, their Hyundai Verna car (registration: HR 06 Y 8681) and three motorcycles were seized during the operation.
Preliminary investigations indicate that most of the accused are teenagers and students who were initially preparing for Army recruitment. They became involved in drug trafficking after encountering Kamaldeep Singh, a drug smuggler based in Kapurthala, and began smuggling heroin from across the border. It has been revealed that the arrested individuals maintained contact with a Pakistan-based smuggler and received drug shipments via drones.
Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav emphasized that efforts are underway to trace the network’s connections and identify the key figure in Pakistan responsible for orchestrating the smuggling operations.
Providing insight into the operation, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Dr. Pragya Jain stated that law enforcement received credible intelligence suggesting that the suspects had received a consignment smuggled from Pakistan and stored it at Baljinder Singh’s residence. Acting swiftly on this information, police raided the location and apprehended the suspects as they were preparing to depart in their Verna car. The raid resulted in the recovery of the drug consignment, live ammunition, and illicit funds. Subsequently, Daljit Singh was also arrested in connection with the case.
According to SSP Pragya Jain, the majority of the suspects were first-time offenders, having been involved in the drug trade for approximately four months. The investigation into the matter remains ongoing.
A case has been registered under relevant sections of the NDPS Act and the Arms Act at Police Station Amir Khaas in Fazilka.
Since the inception of the Model Code of Conduct on March 16, 2024, Fazilka Police have seized a total of 22.57 kilograms of heroin, underscoring their commitment to combating drug trafficking in the region.
