Amritsar/Chandigarh, July 26: In a significant breakthrough against cross-border drug trafficking, Amritsar Commissionerate Police have dismantled a well-coordinated heroin smuggling network with direct connections to Pakistan-based traffickers. Four suspects, including a 17-year-old juvenile, were arrested, and a total of 6.1 kg of heroin was recovered, Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav announced on Saturday.
The accused have been identified as Sarbjit Singh alias Joban (29) from Dhanoa village, Dharam Singh alias Happy (32), Kulbir Singh alias Gurdeep Singh alias Thomas (24) — both residents of Ajnala — and the juvenile. Police also seized two motorcycles allegedly used for delivering drug consignments.
Direct Links to Pakistan-Based Smugglers Exposed
DGP Yadav revealed that Sarbjit alias Joban, who operated from a border-area village, maintained direct contact with notorious Pakistan-based smuggler Rana. Sarbjit and the juvenile were initially apprehended with 1 kg of heroin, leading investigators to two more suspects. Acting swiftly, police arrested Dharam Singh and Kulbir Singh in Ajnala and recovered an additional 5 kg of heroin.Commissioner of Police (CP) Amritsar Gurpreet Singh Bhullar provided further insight into the operation, stating that Sarbjit retrieved heroin consignments dropped via drones at coordinates shared by smugglers across the border.
Investigations uncovered that Sarbjit regularly handled consignments of 4–5 kg and had previously facilitated the smuggling of weapons. The juvenile, too, maintained direct contact with the same Pakistan-based handler, highlighting the extent to which minors are being exploited in drug trafficking networks.
Ongoing Probe to Uncover Wider Network
Police have registered two separate cases: FIR no. 45 dated July 24, 2025, under sections 21-C and 29 of the NDPS Act at Police Station Airport, Amritsar, and FIR No. 142 dated July 23, 2025, under sections 21-C, 25, and 29 of the NDPS Act at Police Station Chheharta, Amritsar.This operation forms part of the ongoing drive, led under the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, to create a safer and drug-free Punjab. Authorities reaffirmed their commitment to intensifying action against organized narcotics networks, particularly those with cross-border connections.
