CHANDIGARH/AMRITSAR, July 2:  Amidst the ongoing war against drugs waged on the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Amritsar Commissioner ate Police has busted a trans-border narcotic smuggling network with the arrest of a drug smuggler identified as Lakhwinder Singh alias Lakha of Khemkaran after recovering 5kg heroin from his possession, said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav here on Tuesday.

Apart from recovering heroin consignment, Police teams have also impounded the Splendour motorcycle, on which the accused was travelling. DGP Gaurav Yadav stated that accused Lakhwinder Lakha had direct contact with Ali, a Pakistan-based drug smuggler, and had actively participated in drug trafficking.

DGP stated that drug consignments had been transported from Pakistan using drones. He also pointed out that they had video graphed the entire search and seizure process in the presence of a Gazetted Officer, as per the provisions of new criminal laws. He mentioned ongoing investigations to establish backward and forward linkages in this case.

Commissioner of Police (CP) Amritsar Ranjit Singh Dhillon shared operational details, stating that police teams received reliable information about drug smuggler Lakhwinder Lakha retrieving a consignment and en route from Khemkaran to deliver it in Amritsar. Acting swiftly, CIA-2 teams under ADCP CITY-2 Abhimanyu Rana’s supervision laid a successful trap and arrested Lakha in Khemkaran. Further investigations are ongoing. Police Station Islamabad, Amritsar, has registered Case FIR no. 130 dated 01/07/2024 under sections 21C, 23, and 25 of the NDPS Act.