Interstate drug nexus busted, four held with 17 kg of opium

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, October 29

A team of the Counter Intelligence wing of Amritsar police on Friday claimed to have busted an interstate drug nexus with the arrest of four drug smugglers and recovery of 17 kg of opium along with one pistol (32 bore) and Rs 1.10 lakh Indian currency.

Those arrested have been identified as Jobandeep Singh, a resident of Wadala, Sukhjinder Singh, a resident of Chainpur, Ranjit Singh and Jaspal Singh of Bhittewad village in Amritsar district.

Acting on a tip-off, the team set up a naka on Ram Tirath Road, Amritsar. The accused were travelling in Hyundai Verna and Honda Amaze cars. The search of the vehicles resulted in the recovery of the opium along with one pistol and cash.

During preliminary investigation, it came to light that Jobandeep Singh was earlier involved in a case pertaining to the recovery of 7-kg opium registered at the PS Beas in 2021. It was revealed that the accused came in touch with Jharkhand-based suppliers through their contact, who are at present lodged in Kapurthala jail. It is learnt that the Jharkhand-based party is a leading supplier of opium in different parts of Punjab.

Further investigation is being carried out to unearth the whole network of drug suppliers, dealers and their buyers. Efforts are being made to identify the complete procurement and supply chain across different states. The accused will be produced before the court.

A case under Sections 18, 25 and 29 of the NDPS Act has been registered against the accused.