In a significant operation as part of Punjab’s ongoing drive against drugs, the Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) of Punjab Police, with the help of central agencies, arrested 11 individuals on Monday. Among those arrested were five drug smugglers, three drug money couriers, and three hawala traders. The operation led to the seizure of nearly Rs 5.09 crore in foreign currency.
According to Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav, the investigation, which lasted about two months, also named 18 accused, including the notorious Pakistani smuggler Shehbaz Khan and a “big fish” residing in Italy. The identity of the “big fish” has not been disclosed at this stage. Shehbaz, a resident of Burewal in Pakistan’s Narowal district, had entered India illegally and was arrested in February 2021. He was later held under the Passports Act and detained in Amritsar central jail before being deported to Pakistan.
The five arrested drug smugglers are:
Harjinder Singh alias Ajay (26) from Ram Talai in Amritsar
Harmanjit Singh alias Harry (27) from Guru Nanak Colony in Amritsar
Sagar (28) from Naraingarh in Chheharta town of Amritsar
Lavdeep Singh alias Lala (30) from Husanpura Kalan in Batala
Harbhaj Singh alias Bheja (30) from Kakkar in Amritsar
The three hawala couriers arrested are:
Saurav alias Saurav Mahajan (24) from Joda Phatak in Amritsar
Tanush (28) from Ghah Mandi Chowk in Amritsar
Harminder Singh alias Harry (28) from Damganj in Amritsar
The Punjab Police continue their investigations, targeting drug trafficking and financial crimes in the region.
