The Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) of Punjab Police, with assistance from central agencies, has cracked a major drug hawala money laundering racket, arresting 11 individuals involved in drug smuggling and illegal money transfer operations.
Among the arrested were five drug smugglers from Amritsar—Harjinder Singh alias Ajay (26), Harmanjit Singh alias Harry (27), Sagar (28), Lavdeep Singh alias Lala (30), and Harbhaj Singh alias Bheja (30). Three drug hawala money couriers—Saurav Mahajan alias Saurav (24), Tanush (28), and Harminder Singh alias Harry (28)—were also taken into custody.
Additionally, three hawala traders were arrested: Ashok Kumar Sharma (60), owner of Phagwara’s ‘Sharma Forex Money Changer,’ along with his associates Rajesh Kumar (50) and Amit Bansal alias Sunil (47), both from Phagwara.
Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav revealed that police recovered Rs1.45 crore in cash along with foreign currencies totaling Rs5.09 crore, including 2,63,630 euros, 7,000 US dollars, 10,020 Canadian dollars, 27,500 British pounds, and 285 dirhams.
The operation highlights the Punjab Police’s relentless efforts against drug trafficking and hawala money laundering in the region.
