After controlling the local availability of drugs as its first focus and neutralizing the internal distribution network, Punjab Police is now focusing on plugging supply lines from across the international border by effecting seizures of in-transit trans-border consignments sent by Pak drug lords within hours of crossing the international border and preventing them from reaching the national and international market. Close on the heels of two major seizures of 25 kg heroin on February 18, 2015 from the area of BOP Gatti No. 3 in Fazilka sector, and, 08 kg heroin on January 24, 2015 from the area of BOP JR-68 in Ferozepur sector, Punjab Police has effected seizure of 50 kg heroin consignment, which is among the largest-ever seizures made in India. The 25 kg heroin consignment was sent by Lahore-based drug lord Imtiaz, the 08 kg heroin consignment was sent by another Lahore-based drug lord Hazi, and, the present seizure of 50 kg heroin consignment originated from Shehbaj @ Kala. All the 03 seizures were effected within 24 hours of the consignments having crossed the border. A team of the Counter Intelligence/Amritsar working under the supervision of Sh. Ashwani Kumar, AIG/Counter Intelligence/Amritsar has effected this major breakthrough and arrested the following smugglers on 25-02-2015:-
(i)Angrej Singh S/o Balwant Singh Caste Jat R/o Rattoke PS Khemkaran district Tarn Taran.
(ii)Raj Singh S/o Jagir Singh Caste Jat R/o Gazal PS Khemkaran district Tarn Taran.
(iii)Joginder Singh S/o Ajaib Singh Caste Jat R/o Gazal PS Khemkaran district Tarn Taran
The seizures include 50 kg heroin, 250 gm opium and one pistol 30 bore. A case FIR No.02 dated 25-02-2015 u/s 18/21/25/29/61/85 NDPS Act, 25/54/59 Arms Act, police station State Special Operations Cell, Amritsar has been registered in this connection.This intelligence-based operation was conducted by the operations team of Counter Intelligence/Amritsar headed by Inspector Gurinderpal Singh Nagra. Information was received that Pak-based drug lord Shehbaj Ahmed @ Kala was in touch with Indian smugglers, including Angrej Singh, Raj Singh and Joginder Singh by using Indian SIM card from across the international border. Joginder Singh had agricultural land across the barbed wire fencing adjoining to the zero-line, in the area of BOP Gazal on the Indo-Pak border and had access across the barbed wire fencing for ostensible agricultural purposes.
A novel modus operandi was adopted by the Pakistan and India smugglers. Joginder Singh informed the Border Security Force (BSF) authorities that he wanted to cut a tree located in his land very close to the international border and then started cutting the tree and chopping it into wooden blocks. The wooden blocks cut by Joginder Singh were got replaced by Pakistan smugglers under the cover of darkness, as his chunk of land is located across the barbed wire fencing and directly approachable from the Pakistan side. Joginder Singh retrieved the wooden blocks from his land to his house located in village Gazal.The Counter Intelligence team has arrested Joginder Singh, Raj Singh and Angrej Singh and raids are being conducted to nab the further recipients of this major heroin consignment. Investigations are ongoing.