In a significant breakthrough in the fight against trans-border narcotics smuggling, Punjab Police has dismantled a drug network in Amritsar, arresting three men, including two brothers and a jail warden. The police recovered 4.5 kg of heroin and Rs 4.32 lakh in drug money — marking a key victory in the state’s ongoing war on drugs.

Sharing information, the state Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav on Thursday said that the arrested individuals have been identified as Akashdeep Singh alias Akash, and his brother Satwinderpal Singh alias Satti — both residents of Guru Hargobindpura in Chheharta, Amritsar. The jail warden, Gurmej Singh from Moga, was found to be smuggling heroin into the Central Jail Amritsar, where the drugs were being supplied to incarcerated traffickers.

This operation comes just a day after the arrest of three other drug smugglers in Amritsar, from whom five kg of heroin and Rs 3.95 lakh in drug money were seized.

DGP Yadav explained that initial investigations revealed Akashdeep and Satwinderpal were in direct contact with Pakistan-based smugglers using drones to drop drug consignments across the border. These brothers then passed the narcotics to Gurmej Singh, who smuggled them into the jail. A thorough investigation involving technical intelligence and swift police action led to the arrests, and an FIR has been registered under the NDPS Act. Investigations are ongoing to trace additional links in this smuggling chain.

Amritsar Commissioner of Police (CP) Gurpreet Singh Bhullar, detailing the operation, explained that the Crime Investigation Agency (CIA) Staff-2 received intelligence that a drone-dropped consignment of heroin was hidden at the brothers’ residence. Acting swiftly, a police team under DCP City Amritsar, Abhimanyu Rana IPS, and DCP Investigation, Harpreet Mandher, raided the house and apprehended the smugglers.

Following the brothers’ confessions, the police arrested the jail warden Gurmej Singh in the Fatehpur area of Amritsar. CP Bhullar confirmed that the warden was serving as a middleman between external smugglers and drug traffickers inside the jail. Further investigations are underway to identify the inmates involved.

A case has been registered at Police Station Chheharta, Amritsar, and the Punjab Police remains committed to making the state drug-free.