Punjabi actor held in drug haul case
Tribune News Service
Amritsar, February 8
The Special Task Force (STF) has reportedly arrested Punjabi actor Mantej Singh in connection with the seizure of 450-kg drugs, including 194 kg of heroin.
Officials learnt about Mantej’s involvement during the interrogation of Ankush Kapoor, a cloth trader and kingpin of the drug racket.
A source in the STF said Mantej had allegedly disposed around 110 kg of heroin at the behest of Ankush Kapoor and Simranjit Singh Sandhu, who was nabbed by the Interpol in Italy. Investigations revealed that Ankush used to pay around Rs 4 lakh for disposing each consignment.
His arrest has led to the suspicion that a huge amount of drug money is being invested in Punjabi movies and this needs a detailed probe. He was produced in a local court, which sent him to police remand till February 11. This is the seventh arrest in the case so far. Earlier, the STF had nabbed Sukhbir Singh, Ankush Kapoor, Sukhwinder Singh, Major Singh, Tamanna Gupta, besides Afghanistan national Arman Basharmal.
Another prime suspect Sahil Sharm, son of a Congress councillor, is yet to be arrested. Mantej has worked in Punjabi movie “Gangster vs State” and is learnt to have invested money in the film.
Heroin worth Rs 10 cr seized in Ferozepur
- Sleuths belonging to the 136th Battalion of the BSF have recovered 2 kg of heroin worth Rs10 crore near a border outpost in the Ferozepur sector.
- DIG BSF Sandip Channan said on the Friday night, BSF personnel deputed near the BOP heard some suspicious noise. On search, two packets of heroin were recovered.
- The price of the recovered consignment is Rs10 crore in the international market. On January 17, five packets of heroin worth Rs25 crore were recovered near the Rajo Ke BOP. TNS