Punjab police on Sunday claimed to have broken major national or international drug smuggling network in its 10-day operation. The police has seized a total of 27.5 kilograms heroin in transit from Pakistan to Rajasthan via Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) by arresting five top smugglers.

“On June 27, one kingpin of this smuggling racket — Amandeep Singh, a Tarn Taran resident — was arrested, and 11 kg heroin was seized from him, besides one Alto car, and a mobile with Pakistani SIM card were recovered,” said the State ADGP (law and Order) Dinkar Gupta. Gupta said that on Sunday, “in furtherance of the ongoing operation, Tarn Taran District Police intercepted and arrested top smugglers namely Hardeep Singh, alias Perry (Amritsar resident), Heera Singh, Gurbinder Singh, alias Binder, and Buta Singh (all three Tarn Taran residents)”.

He said that preliminary investigations have revealed that seized heroin (27 kg) originated from two lahore-based smugglers — Kalu Chairman and Nasir. “The heroin was pushed across the border from Muzaffarabad (J&K) and was to be taken initially to Jaisalmer where the Pakistani smugglers had arranged to further deliver the heroin to one smuggler ‘Kheru’, a resident of Jaisalmer, and his associates based in Rajasthan,” he added.Gupta said that Perry’s father, Paramjit Singh, was a convict in a narcotics case and was presently lodged in Burail Jail, Chandigarh. Along with Paramjit, one Festus Benson, a Burundi national, was also undergoing sentence in the same narcotics case.

“Perry used to meet his father and Burundi national in Burail Jail through whom his contact was established with one Samuan (also a Burundi national), Festus’ relative… This group of smugglers had established contact with Samuan in order to further send this consignment of 27 kg heroin in the international market,” said he. ADGP said that Parkash Singh Bhatia alias Sunny (Amritsar resident), hawala dealer for this group, has also been arrested on Sunday. Gupta said that Police parties have been dispatched to Rajasthan, J&K and Delhi for further and related investigations. Operations against organised smuggling networks being carried out by the field formations are being coordinated by the Intelligence Wing of the Punjab Police, he said. Meanwhile, Punjab DGP Sumedh Singh Saini has promoted six officials of Tarn Taran Police and ASI Ajaib Singh has been awarded DGP’s Commendation Disc.

70,000 ADDICTS AVAIlED DE-ADDICTION FACIlITIES

After the crackdown to completely break the supply line to the consumers, Punjab Police maintained that there is no availability of drugs in the streets, as a result of which, former consumers are going to de-addiction centres for treatment.

“Till June 28, more than 70,000 former drug consumers have availed the free de-addiction facilities provided by the government… About 18,000 of such former consumers have been motivated, mobilised and sent to de-addiction centres by the officers of the Punjab Police who are touring every village of the State for this purpose,” said a government spokesperson.

PUNJAB POlICE TO lAUNCH REHABIlITATION CAMPAIGN FROM JUl 5

Punjab Police would launch a campaign for rehabilitation of former drug consumers from July 5. For the purpose, the gazetted officers have been deputed to visit every village of the State, said the spokesperson.

In consultation with the village panchayats and elders, they have been asked to work out proper rehabilitation programme on the grass roots level which would include exercise, sports and other measures and activities to keep them occupied so that they do not attempt any relapse.Non-availability of the intoxicants in the streets shall be ensured, said the spokesperson.