Trafficking networks busted with arrest of 7 RPG drugs drone among items recovered Punjab Police

Chandigarh, Nov 10 (PTI) A rocket propelled grenade (RPG), a drone, 7.904 kg of heroin, along with over 100 cartridges, were recovered as the Punjab Police, in a joint operation with a central agency, busted multiple illegal arms and drug trafficking networks with the arrest of seven persons, a top police officer said on Tuesday.

    The Amritsar Rural Police also recovered two pistols, 5.152 kg of opium, 2.344 kg of ICE (methamphetamine), one GPS tracker and five mobile phones from the possession of the accused, Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav said in a post on X.

    Those arrested have been identified as Gurkirpal Singh alias Gurpal (20), a resident of Cheecha village, Lovepreet Singh alias Navpreet Singh alias Nav (25), a resident of Dhariwal village in Lopoke, Balkar Singh (41), a resident of Kotli Dusandhi, Sukhjit Singh (19), a resident of Ajnala and three juveniles.

    Investigation revealed that the accused were allegedly in contact with foreign-based handlers who facilitated the supply of illegal weapons, including the rocket propelled grenade (RPG) -- an anti-tank missile -- and narcotics for further distribution among criminal elements, according to Yadav.

    Further investigation is underway to establish backwards and forward linkages and identify other individuals involved in the network, he said.

    Sharing operational details, Inspector General of Police (Border Range) Gurpreet Singh Bhullar said that in the first operation, a joint team from Amritsar Rural and central agencies arrested Gurkirpal Singh alias Gurpal along with his juvenile associate and recovered an RPG-22 Netto -- an anti-tank missile launcher -- from their possession.

    In the second operation, he said, teams from Lopoke police station, along with BSF, carried out a search operation in the Uttar Dhariwal border outpost area and arrested Lovepreet Singh alias Navpreet, and recovered two 9 mm Glock pistols, two magazines, and ammunition.

    Arrested accused person's two associates have been identified, and raids are being conducted to nab them, he said.

    The IGP said, in the third operation, teams from Bhindi Saida police station, along with BSF, busted an ICE smuggling module with the arrest of Balkar Singh, Sukhjit Singh, and two juveniles, recovering 2.3 kg of ICE drug from their possession.

    Investigation revealed that Balkar Singh, whose agricultural land touches the international border fence, had arranged the cross-border drone drop and engaged local youths from Ajnala for distribution, he said.

    Amritsar Rural SSP Kanwalpreet Singh Chahal said that in two additional border recovery operations, teams from Bhindi Saida police station recovered 7.904 kg of drone-dropped heroin and a tracker device from near Awan Lakha Singh village. During a joint night search with BSF in the BOP Fatehpur area, a packet containing 5.152 kg of opium was also seized, he said.

(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)