Ex-kabaddi player from Punjab held with Rs 1cr heroin

Panchkula: Panchkula police have arrested a former state-level kabaddi player from Punjab and seized heroin worth over Rs 1 crore from his vehicle.The accused, Rashpal Singh alias Lali (38), a resident of Tarn Taran district, was found carrying 538 grams of heroin. The arrest was made on April 23 by the crime branch team from Sector 26 near Pyarewala village on the Raipur Rani–Naraingarh road.Acting on a tip-off, the team, led by inspector Dalip Singh, set up a checkpoint and intercepted his SUV. A case under Section 21C of the NDPS Act was registered at Raipur Rani police station.Police said Rashpal was allegedly involved in drug trafficking for a long time, sourcing heroin from Punjab and supplying it in Panchkula. He was produced before a court on April 24 and taken on police remand, which has since been extended to trace the supply chain. Investigators said he has multiple criminal cases registered against him in Punjab, including charges of fraud and attempt to murder.Officials said vital leads about the main supplier have been obtained and raids are underway. More arrests are likely.From sport to crimePolice claimed Rashpal had participated in state-level kabaddi tournaments organised by the state govt. A back injury allegedly forced him to quit the sport, after which he turned to drug trafficking for quick money.Anti-drug driveAccording to the DCP (crime and traffic), Panchkula police registered 37 NDPS Act cases in the first four months of 2026, arresting 58 traffickers, including 18 major suppliers. Of these, 10 cases involved commercial quantities.During the period, drugs worth Rs 8.8 crore were seized, including over 5 kg heroin, 27 kg poppy husk, 6.3 kg ganja, 1.5 kg charas, 710 grams opium and 40,200 banned tablets.Crackdown and awarenessProperties of three traffickers allegedly built using proceeds of crime were demolished. Police also said 81 awareness programmes were conducted between January and March, reaching 3,699 people. Drugs worth over Rs 2 crore seized between 2022 and 2024 were recently destroyed at a facility in Bagwala.
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