Punjab Police has dismantled a sophisticated cross-border network involved in the smuggling of illegal arms, drugs and hawala operations, arresting six persons, including an Afghan national, officials said on Friday.
Four of the arrested are adults, while two are juveniles. Police also recovered 1.035 kg of heroin, five sophisticated pistols, two live cartridges and Rs 5 lakh in suspected drug money.
According to officials, the gang was allegedly using social media platforms to procure and distribute consignments foreign-based handlers.
Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav said the arrests were made by the Amritsar Commissionerate Police. “Preliminary investigation reveals that the accused, in connivance with foreign-based associates, were allegedly procuring consignments of illegal arms and narcotics through social media platforms and distributing them on the directions of their overseas handlers. One of the arrested accused is an Afghan national,” the DGP posted on X.
An FIR has been registered in the regard and further investigation is underway to establish backward and forward linkages, identify other associates involved in the network and ascertain additional recoveries, he added.
Punjab Police has intensified operations against drugs, illegal arms, hawala networks and organised crime syndicates this year, reporting significant successes.
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