Punjab Police Bust Major Narco Network, Recover 10.2 kg Heroin in Amritsar; 3 Arrested

Drone-delivered heroin linked to Pakistan-based smugglers; Tarn Taran residents held in multi-agency operation

May 19, 2025: In a significant breakthrough, the Amritsar Commissionerate Police have busted an international drug trafficking network and seized 10.2 kilograms of heroin, arresting three operatives with alleged links to Pakistan-based smugglers. The operation was announced by Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav on Sunday.

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The Accused and Modus Operandi

The arrested individuals have been identified as:

• Akashdeep Singh (22)
• Akash alias Mota (19) — both from Cheema Kalan, Tarn Taran
• Sandeep Singh (30) — from Kotli Vasawa Singh, Tarn Taran

According to the police, the trio had been in direct contact with drug traffickers across the Pakistan border for over six years. The consignment of heroin was delivered via drones, a method that has become increasingly prevalent in cross-border smuggling operations. The drugs were then distributed across various regions within Punjab.

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The Crackdown

Acting on credible intelligence, a specialized team under the direction of DCP (Detective) Ravinderpal Singh, ADCP Jagbinder Singh, and ACP Harminder Singh Sandhu, led by CIA Staff-1 in-charge Amolakdeep Singh, intercepted the smugglers near Gurdwara Bohri Sahib Road.

Initial recovery included 1.01 kg heroin and a motorcycle. Upon further interrogation, Sandeep Singh was arrested from Chabhal Road, and another 9.2 kg heroin and a second motorcycle were recovered.

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Legal Action and Ongoing Probe

The police have registered a case under Sections 21-C, 23, and 29 of the NDPS Act. Investigations are ongoing to identify further links and co-conspirators, with officials indicating the possibility of more arrests.

The Punjab Police’s decisive action underscores the growing concern around narco-terrorism, particularly in border districts like Tarn Taran and Amritsar, which are often used as transit points for international drug cartels.

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Tags:
Amritsar drug bust, Punjab heroin seizure, drone drug smuggling, Tarn Taran smugglers, Pakistan drug links, NDPS Act Punjab, Akashdeep Singh arrest, Sandeep Singh heroin, Gaurav Yadav Punjab Police, Amritsar CIA staff