Jalandhar police nabs 3 with 40 lakhs of opium, uncover international drug smuggling network

Jalandhar (The Uttam Hindu): In a significant drug bust, the Jalandhar Commissionerate Police has successfully dismantled an international drug smuggling operation. Three individuals have been arrested with a total of 3 kg of opium, valued at an estimated 30 to 40 lakh rupees. The drugs were reportedly packed in parcels and sent abroad, indicating a large-scale smuggling network.

Police Commissioner Swapan Sharma confirmed the operation, detailing that on November 24, the CIA team arrested Chahat, a resident of New Sant Nagar Bhargava Camp, near Mata Rani Chowk. From Chahat, the police recovered 1 kg of opium. Following this, an FIR (No. 114) was filed under the NDPS Act at the Bhargava Camp Police Station.

The investigation soon revealed that Chahat was part of a larger gang, leading to the arrests of two accomplices, Pawan Kumar and Ranbir Singh, on the same day. The police also seized an additional 2 kg of opium from their possession. It is suspected that the gang was involved in packaging drugs in parcels and smuggling them internationally.

The ongoing investigation, led by CP Swapan Sharma, has expanded with Section-29 of the NDPS Act now applied against the accused. Authorities are working to uncover both the front and back links of the smuggling ring and identify others involved in the illegal operation. Further recovery is also a key objective.

Pawan Kumar, one of the arrested, has a known criminal history. Earlier this year, two separate FIRs under the NDPS Act were registered against him. He had recently been released from jail. The other two arrested, Chahat and Ranbir Singh, reportedly have no prior criminal records. The police are continuing their efforts to break down the full scope of the operation and prevent further smuggling activities.