Fatehgarh Sahib Police on Sunday recovered 10 kg of ‘ice’ (Methamphetamine) and 230 kg of raw material (Pseudophedrine) from which ‘ice’ is made.
Both the manufactured ice and the raw material were being exported to UK, Canada and Holland by a group of narcotic smugglers through one Kulwant Singh, a UK national, who was earlier arrested in the ‘drug haul case’ from New Delhi on March 19.
As per Anoop Singh Kahlon and Kulwant Singh, both arrested in ‘drug haul case’, the international retail price of ice is about Rs 5 crore per kg and of raw material about Rs 1 crore per Kg and the wholesale price is about one fourth of that.
“The source of Pseudophedrine being smuggled out was the pharmaceutical factory at Meerut being run by a retired DSP of UP Police Kirpal Singh (earlier arrested) and his son Anuj (who is absconding). The source of Heroin was from across the border (Afghanistan-Pakistan), procurement of which was done by Jagdish Bhola, who is absconding,” said the spokesperson.
The drugs (Heroin, Ice and Pseudophedrine) were being sent by this group of smugglers to UK, Canada and Holland. The consignments were being sent both through Air cargo from Delhi and by ship from Mumbai, which was organized by Kulwant Singh and Paramjit Singh (both arrested).
The spokesperson informed, “Five Chinese associates had visited Chandigarh for quality check of Ice and Pseudophedrine in 2010. Their identities have been established and further action is being taken. 15 persons including 2 Canadian and 1 UK citizen have been arrested so far in this case, whereas more than 25 other persons of this network have figured, who are presently absconding.”
Police parties have been dispatched to UP, Delhi and Mumbai apart from several places in Punjab for further investigation and to apprehend the absconders.
DIG/Counter Intelligence Ananya Gautam assisted by SP (D) Fategarh Sahib Gurpreet Singh and the State special operation cell Amritsar, have been deputed to probe the international facets of the smuggling network and appropriately liaise with the UK, Canadian and Holland police.
The spokesperson informed, “The matter regarding moving the competent Court for issuance of directions to the boxers for making themselves available for a hair test was examined by deputy district Attorney, Fatehgarh Sahib. Hair testing facilities are not available in local Forensic Science labs.”
“On advise from Dy. DA, the local FSl unit has been moved to provide information as to which lab in the country can conduct the test appropriately, the validity and certainty of such a test and the duration within which the drug can be detected in a hair sample. The crime wing of Punjab police has directed the local FSl to provide this information early so that further requisite action can be taken. It is also clarified that the primary focus of the police is to nab the active smugglers and break their network.”