Cross-border drug, arms racket traced to Pak handlers after Sriganganagar arrests

Jaipur: A day after two men were arrested with a cache of weapons and narcotics in Sriganganagar, police on Tuesday said the seizure is linked to a long-running cross-border network routing drugs and arms from Pakistan into Punjab via Rajasthan.

SP Hari Shankar said police have identified the accused as Kulwinder Singh, 27, and Robin Singh, 23, both residents of Mahatma Nagar in Fazilka, adding that they were acting as local carriers in an organised supply chain. Kulwinder already faces a heroin smuggling case in Fazilka.

Investigators said preliminary interrogation revealed the consignments were dropped across the border and picked up by local operatives for further distribution within India. The duo allegedly arrived to collect a package dropped four days earlier. The total value of the seized contraband is estimated to be several crore.

Police said the pistols recovered from the vehicle bore markings indicating foreign origin. The packaging of the heroin matched consignments typically dropped by drones across the border. Officials said this is the first instance in which opium, along with heroin, has been recovered from such a cross-border drop, and its origin is under verification.

On Monday, acting on a tip-off received around 11am, a team from Sameja Kothi police station set up a blockade near Bajuwala Road. At the checkpoint, ASI Vinod Kumar intercepted a white Kia Sonet, but the occupants rammed a police Bolero and sped towards Bharatmala Road.

The police then ordered a second blockade 10 km ahead at the 75 NP turn by placing tractor-trolleys across the road. Around 2 pm, the car approached at high speed. When signalled to stop, the driver accelerated; on spotting the barricade, the occupants attempted to brake but crashed into a trolley.

Both accused fled into nearby fields but were chased and apprehended with the help of locals. Police recovered 1.5 kg heroin, 1 kg opium, five pistols marked “Made in China” and “Made in Pakistan,” and 72 cartridges from the vehicle, which was also seized.

Officials said the contraband was dropped using drones from across the India-Pakistan border and was meant for supply in Punjab. A case has been registered under the NDPS Act and the Arms Act, and further links in the network are under investigation. Police said the swift action prevented a major smuggling operation.
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