Amritsar (Gurpreet Singh): A major police operation in Amritsar has exposed an alleged international network involved in the smuggling of narcotics, illegal weapons and hawala money, leading to the arrest of four suspects and the apprehension of two juveniles.
Officials said the operation resulted in the seizure of 1.035 kilograms of heroin, five advanced pistols, two live rounds of ammunition and ₹5 lakh suspected to be proceeds from the drug trade.
Investigators believe the accused were part of a wider syndicate operating under the guidance of handlers based outside India. Initial inquiries suggest that social media platforms were being used as a key communication channel for coordinating the movement and delivery of contraband consignments.
Among those arrested is an Afghan national, whose alleged role in the network is being examined. Police suspect the group was engaged in receiving and distributing both narcotics and firearms supplied through cross-border channels.
The breakthrough came after sustained intelligence gathering by the Amritsar Commissionerate Police, which has intensified efforts against organised crime and smuggling activities in the border state. Officials indicated that the network may have connections extending beyond Punjab, prompting a deeper investigation into its operations.
A First Information Report (FIR) has been registered at the Cantonment police station in Amritsar. Investigators are now working to trace the origin of the seized contraband, identify additional members of the syndicate and uncover the financial routes used to move illicit funds.
Police sources said efforts are also focused on establishing both backward and forward linkages of the network to determine how the consignments entered the region and where they were intended to be delivered.
Reaffirming its crackdown on organised crime, Punjab Police said it remains committed to taking stringent action against drug trafficking, illegal arms supply chains and hawala operations that threaten public safety and security.
Authorities expect further developments in the case as interrogations and forensic examinations continue.
