Amritsar Police, Central Agency Nab Seven in Cross-Border Drugs, Arms Bust

Amritsar Commissionerate Police, in a joint operation with a central agency, have dismantled a cross-border network involved in illegal arms, narcotics, and hawala transactions. Seven individuals, including one Afghan national and a juvenile, have been arrested in connection with the network.

During the operation, authorities recovered 10 sophisticated weapons, including two sub-machine guns, over 5 kg of heroin, and Rs 30.38 lakh in hawala money. Officials described the operation as a significant step in curbing cross-border criminal activities in the region.

Preliminary investigations indicate that the accused were allegedly linked to foreign-based handlers who used social media platforms to coordinate operations. The network received consignments of narcotics and illegal arms, which were then distributed to criminal elements across various locations. Financial transactions were conducted through hawala channels to avoid detection.

A case has been registered at Police Station Islamabad in Amritsar under relevant sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, the Arms Act, and other penal provisions.

Police stated that further investigation is underway to establish backward and forward linkages, identify additional associates connected with the foreign-based network, and make further recoveries and arrests. Authorities are also probing the role of the Afghan national and the juvenile, and whether the consignments originated from across the border.

The Punjab Police has reiterated its commitment to a zero-tolerance policy against drug trafficking, illegal arms smuggling, hawala operations, and organised crime.