JAISALMER: In a major breakthrough against cross-border narcotics smuggling, Sri Ganganagar Police on Saturday arrested three drug traffickers, including a husband and wife, in connection with the seizure of over 10.5 kg of heroin worth approximately Rs 55 crore.The heroin was allegedly smuggled into India from Pakistan using drones in coordination with traffickers from Punjab.Police have also detained two other suspected traffickers for questioning. During the operation, cash amounting to Rs 1.61 lakh was recovered from the arrested accused.According to the investigation, a Pakistani drone made three sorties over the international border near the Gharsana sector in Sri Ganganagar district at around 2 a.m. on Friday, dropping nearly 12 kg of heroin.The consignment was collected by traffickers from Punjab and Sri Ganganagar before being transported towards Punjab.Addressing a press conference, Sri Ganganagar Superintendent of Police Harishankar Yadav said that during a police checkpoint near Chak 5 BB culvert under the Jaitsar police station limits on Friday night, a suspicious vehicle attempted to flee after ramming into a police vehicle.The occupants were apprehended after a brief chase.The arrested accused have been identified as Dharmendra Singh alias Babbu (32) of Ludhiana district, Punjab, and Jaswinder Singh alias Jassi (34) of Salempur village in Sri Ganganagar district.Police recovered 9.908 kg of heroin packed in 20 packets along with Rs 1.40 lakh in cash from their vehicle.Subsequently, police raided Jaswinder Singh’s residence in Salempur, where they seized an additional 511 grams of heroin and Rs 21,200 in cash.Jaswinder’s wife, Navjot Kaur alias Jyoti, was also arrested.In total, police recovered 10.419 kg of heroin, whose estimated value in the international market exceeds Rs 55 crore.Separate cases under the NDPS Act have been registered at Jaitsar and Sameja Kothi police stations, and further investigation is underway.
History-Sheeter Escapes with Part of the Consignment
Reliable police sources revealed that after the heroin was brought to Salempur, the consignment was divided into three parts.During this process, a history-sheeter from the Nohar police station area of Hanumangarh district allegedly arrived and fled with approximately 1.5 kg of heroin.Sri Ganganagar Police immediately alerted Hanumangarh Police, which has launched a search operation. Officials believe the suspect is likely to be arrested soon.
Punjab-Pakistan Smuggling Nexus Under Scanner
Investigators believe that major traffickers based in Punjab coordinated directly with Pakistani smugglers to arrange the drone delivery in the Gharsana sector.According to reliable police sources, some major Punjab-based drug traffickers had established contact with Pakistani smugglers to arrange the delivery in the Gharsana sector of Sri Ganganagar district.At around 2 a.m. on Friday, a Pakistani drone made three sorties across the international border, dropping nearly 12 kilograms of heroin in multiple packets.Jaswinder Singh allegedly acted as the local contact responsible for receiving the consignment.Three couriers sent by Punjab-based traffickers accompanied him during the retrieval of the heroin.Sources further disclosed that the traffickers initially planned to transport the heroin to Punjab via the Bharatmala Road near Sadhuwali village, but changed their route at the last moment.Acting on intelligence inputs, police established checkpoints on all exit routes from Salempur and alerted teams from Shrivijaynagar and Anupgarh police stations.As soon as the traffickers’ vehicle moved towards the Jaitsar route, police intercepted it near Chak 5 GB, leading to the successful seizure.Police officials credited timely intelligence inputs, coordinated teamwork, and swift action for dismantling what appears to be a major cross-border drug trafficking network operating through Pakistani drone deliveries.
