Punjab Police Bust Cross-Border Arms and Hawala Network in Amritsar

In a coordinated crackdown based on intelligence, the Amritsar Commissionerate Police has arrested three suspects involved in a cross-border organised arms and hawala network, Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav said today.

The accused have been identified as Harpreet Singh (23) of village Kot Mehtab, Amritsar; Gurpal Singh (21) of village Sursingh, Tarn Taran; and Ranjodh Singh (33) of village Viring, Tarn Taran.

Police recovered 2.02 kg heroin, four pistols, including one Glock and three .30 bore pistols, and Rs 3.5 lakh hawala money, besides impounding their motorcycle.

DGP Yadav said the gang was using drones to smuggle heroin and weapons from Pakistan and maintained an active presence in Punjab’s border areas.

Preliminary investigation revealed that Harpreet Singh and Gurpal Singh, who had earlier travelled to Malaysia, were in touch with cross-border smugglers. A case has been registered at Police Station Gate Hakiman, and further investigation is underway to expose the complete nexus, he added.

Sharing further details, Commissioner of Police (CP) Amritsar Gurpreet Singh Bhullar said Harpreet and Gurpal were earlier arrested with 220 grams of heroin along with a motorcycle. On their disclosure, police recovered an additional 1.8 kg heroin and two .30 bore pistols from a location.

Investigations revealed that Harpreet had stayed in Malaysia for seven months in 2023, while Gurpal went in 2022 and returned in 2023. Though they were not acquainted in Malaysia, they shared a common Pakistan-based handler who directed them to receive consignments.

On Gurpal’s further disclosure, police arrested co-accused Ranjodh Singh and recovered two more pistols and Rs 3.5 lakh drug money. This money, originating from the contraband trade, was to be routed to Pakistan through hawala channels, the CP added.

An FIR has been registered under sections of the NDPS Act, and Section 25 of the Arms Act at police station Gate Hakiman, Amritsar.