Amidst the ongoing campaign to make Punjab a drug-free state as per directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Faridkot Police achieved a major breakthrough in combating cross-border narco smuggling with the arrest of a big fish drug smuggler identified as Gulab Singh, who is a key accused wanted in the 77kg heroin recovery case, said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav here on Saturday.
The development came about a year after State Special Operation Cell (SSOC) Fazilka had busted two separate cross-border drug smuggling rackets with the arrest of four drug traffickers after recovering 77.8Kg heroin (41.8Kg+36Kg) and three pistols from their possession. The consignment had come via riverine route. Two separate cases were registered in this regard and the arrested accused was wanted by the Punjab Police in both the cases.
DGP Gaurav Yadav said that the arrested accused had played a pivotal role in in delivery of 36kg of the contraband and maintaining connections with Pakistan-based smugglers. “His (Gulab Singh) arrest is poised to significantly disrupt the entire smuggling network and prevent future trafficking activities,” he said.
The DGP said that Gulab Singh’s arrest is a result of meticulous and professional investigation and sustained follow-up of Backward linkages. Further financial investigations are underway to trace the money trail and freeze assets acquired through illicit drug proceeds, he added.
Sharing operation details, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Faridkot Dr Pragya Jain, while addressing the press conference, said that following meticulous technical and human-intel based operation, police teams from CIA Faridkot, Special Branch, SHO Sadiq and Technical Cell in a joint operation under the supervision of SP Investigation Jasmeet Singh rounded up accused Gulab Singh from Bus Stand in village Rupyianwali, who was on the run since one year.
She said that as part of the strategy to pursue backward linkages in heavy recoveries, the police teams have thoroughly investigated this case and were on the look out for accused Gulab Singh from last 10 days.
The SSP said that the arrested accused had arranged divers to retrieve the consignment of heroin and weapons and was in touch with Pakistan based smugglers via various apps. Accused Gulab Singh is a seasoned criminal and has been facing several criminal cases in Faridkot and other districts of the state, she added.