The Nurpur district police in Himachal Pradesh have apprehended a suspected drug trafficker from Punjab, seizing a significant quantity of heroin and disrupting an interstate drug smuggling network operating along the Punjab-Himachal Pradesh border. The operation also led to the arrest of three other individuals allegedly involved in local drug peddling.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that the bust occurred on Thursday evening when the Crime Investigation Agency (CIA) wing of the Nurpur police, acting on a specific tip-off, intercepted a car near the Ulherian-Milwan road in the Indora police station area. The vehicle, bearing a Punjab registration number, was found to be carrying approximately 264.6 grams of heroin concealed within the steering wheel.
The arrested individual has been identified as Jatinder Singh, a 41-year-old resident of Bhartwal village in Punjab’s Gurdaspur district. He has been taken into custody under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, and the car used in the alleged transportation of the contraband has been impounded by the authorities.
Superintendent of Police Kulbhushan Verma stated that the arrested man is believed to be a key figure in an interstate drug racket that has been active in the border regions between Punjab and Himachal Pradesh. The police are seeking a court remand for Jatinder Singh to facilitate further investigation into his drug network and financial dealings, which are suspected to span across multiple states.
Preliminary investigations suggest that Jatinder Singh has allegedly been involved in drug trafficking activities that extended into Jammu and Kashmir, in addition to Punjab and Himachal Pradesh. Records indicate that three previous cases under the NDPS Act have already been registered against him in these states, underscoring the extensive nature of his alleged operations.
In a separate but related operation conducted during night patrolling, the CIA team also apprehended three individuals near the interstate Chakki bridge on the Pathankot-Mandi National Highway (NH-154) at Kandwal. This operation also stemmed from an intelligence tip, leading to the recovery of 25.65 grams of heroin from the possession of these three alleged drug peddlers.
The individuals arrested in this secondary bust have been identified as Arjiner Singh, aged 42, from Praja Katra in Amritsar; Ajay Kumar, aged 28, from Thathiara Wala village in Amritsar district; and Arvinder Kaur, aged 21, from Baltoha Jodh Singh Wala village in Tarn Taran district. All three are residents of Punjab.
A First Information Report (FIR) has been registered against Arjiner Singh, Ajay Kumar, and Arvinder Kaur under relevant sections of the NDPS Act, specifically Sections 21 and 29, which deal with the possession of narcotic drugs and engaging in criminal conspiracy related to drug trafficking. Investigations are continuing in both cases to ascertain the full extent of the drug network and identify other potential collaborators.
The successful interdiction of these drug consignments and arrests mark a significant development in the ongoing efforts by the Himachal Pradesh police to combat the pervasive issue of drug trafficking in the state. The close proximity of Himachal Pradesh to Punjab, a major source and transit point for illicit drugs, often makes the state a target for traffickers aiming to distribute narcotics to local populations and onward to other regions.
The police department has intensified its surveillance and naka operations, particularly in border areas and along major transportation routes, to curb the flow of contraband. The strategy involves continuous intelligence gathering and swift action based on specific information. The authorities emphasize the importance of inter-state cooperation in dismantling drug networks that often operate across political boundaries.
The ongoing investigation aims to uncover the supply chain, identify the sources of the seized heroin, and dismantle the distribution channels that facilitate the spread of drugs. The police are also focusing on the financial aspects of drug trafficking to disrupt the economic incentives for criminal organizations involved in this trade.
❤️ Support Independent Journalism
Your contribution keeps our reporting free, fearless, and accessible to everyone.
Or make a one-time donation
Secure via Razorpay • 12 monthly payments • Cancel anytime before next cycle
(We don't allow anyone to copy content. For Copyright or Use of Content related questions, visit here.)
The Chenab Times News Desk
