Arms, heroin seized: Police
Jammu, June 17: Jammu Police have arrested three alleged kingpins of a narco-terror network in Punjab’s Amritsar district and seized an AK-47 rifle, pistols, live ammunition and over one kilogram of heroin in what officials described as a major crackdown on organised narcotics trafficking linked to the notorious Lau Gujjar network.
The accused — Surajdeep Singh alias Suraj of Jandiala, Harpreet Singh alias Raju and Jaspreet — were arrested during a joint operation by Jammu Police and Punjab Police in connection with multiple cases registered at Miran Sahib, Bishnah, Nagrota and Gangyal police stations.
Police said the trio formed part of the backward links of the Lau Gujjar network and were allegedly responsible for supplying a substantial quantity of narcotic substances to Jammu district and adjoining areas.
According to investigators, the arrests followed sustained investigation and interrogation of several accused, including Lateef, Bachu, Majeeda and Mushtaq, who allegedly identified Suraj and Raju as key suppliers in the network. The three accused are also linked to various NDPS cases registered in Jammu, police said.
Officials said the accused allegedly supplied narcotics to nearly 20 forward links operating in Jammu, Samba and Kathua districts.
During searches conducted at the premises of the accused by teams comprising the Emergency Support Unit (ESU) Jammu, officers from Miran Sahib and Bishnah police stations and Punjab Police, authorities recovered an AK-47 rifle along with 40 live rounds, a Star pistol with 29 live cartridges and four live 12-bore cartridges.
Police also seized approximately 1.02 kilograms of heroin, an electronic weighing machine, packing material and adhesive tape allegedly used for packaging and distribution of narcotics.
In addition, investigators recovered around Rs 11 lakh in cash, three mobile phones and three vehicles, including a Mahindra Thar, a Honda Amaze and a Maruti Swift, which were allegedly used in the illicit trade.
Police said legal proceedings have been initiated and further investigation is underway to identify additional links in the network.
Jammu Police reiterated its commitment to intensifying action against drug trafficking and dismantling narco-terror networks operating in the region.
