Six arrested as police crack global drug supply chain

Chandigarh: The Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) of the Punjab Police has busted an international narcotics network operating across the Tricity region and Ludhiana, arresting six drug peddlers and seizing a large quantity of high-potency drugs and cash. The arrested accused have been identified as Rishav, Mukesh Kumar, Lakhwinder Singh, Ravi Kumar, Baljinder Singh and Talwinder Singh. Police recovered 1,215 MDMA tablets, 263 grams of cocaine, 82 grams of methamphetamine (ICE), 1.2 kg of various THC variants, 16 grams of magic mushrooms and 400 grams of opium from the accused. Officers also seized Rs 9 lakh in drug money during the raids.DGP Gaurav Yadav said the six arrested individuals were key operatives allegedly involved in supplying highly potent, foreign-origin party drugs targeted at youngsters. He described the scale of the seizure as unprecedented, calling it one of the largest MDMA tablet recoveries in the country. According to the DGP, preliminary investigation reveals that the Syndicate sourced narcotics from abroad through air courier channels and used encrypted social media platforms to coordinate distribution and avoid detection. Police are continuing investigation to trace backward and forward linkages and identify other associates connected to the network.AIG, ANTF Ashwini Gotyal said the operation began after specific human intelligence inputs indicated that a drug supplier, Rishav, was operating from an apartment in Kharar and allegedly distributing narcotics within club and party circuits in the Tricity area. Acting on this information, the police conducted a raid at the apartment, arrested Rishav and recovered 1,215 MDMA tablets, 155 grams of cocaine, 82 grams of ICE, 10 variants of THC weighing 973 grams, 16 grams of magic mushrooms, 400 grams of opium and Rs 3 lakh in drug money from his possession.Further investigation led the ANTF to a broader distribution module based in Ludhiana, which served as a key supply and redistribution hub for the Tricity region. Coordinated raids were carried out, resulting in the arrest of Mukesh Kumar, Lakhwinder Singh, Ravi Kumar, Baljinder Singh and Talwinder Singh. Police recovered 108 grams of cocaine, 278 grams of THC and Rs 6 lakh from the Ludhiana-based accused, according to the AIG.A case has been registered against the accused under relevant sections of the NDPS Act.MSID:: 128886198 413 |