Punjab Police Strike a Major Blow to International Drug Syndicate
In a major breakthrough in the fight against narco-terrorism, the Amritsar Police have busted a powerful international drug cartel operating in Punjab. Led by Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar, the operation led to the arrest of six major drug traffickers and the seizure of over 4.5 kg of heroin—worth crores in the international market. Authorities also recovered ₹8.7 lakh in hawala money, exposing the deep nexus between drug peddlers and illegal financial networks.
Punjab Police bust narco-hawala cartel linked to Dubai and Pakistan; recover 4.5 kg heroin and Rs 8.7 lakh cash
— ANI Digital (@ani_digital) June 10, 2025
Read @ANI Story | https://t.co/4FaQTI00lT#PunjabPolice #drugcartel #narco pic.twitter.com/gMnVDizyVo
What makes this bust even more alarming is the revelation that Pakistani smugglers were operating as the central command of the syndicate, pushing consignments across the border. Investigators also uncovered that one of the main operatives was running the drug ring from inside Goindwal Jail, highlighting serious concerns over internal security lapses.
Pakistani Smugglers Behind Punjab Drug Cartel, Jail Used as Control Room
#WATCH | Punjab | Commissioner of Police Amritsar, Gurpreet Singh Bhullar says, "...We have caught six main smugglers (drug smugglers) and more than 4.5 kilograms of heroin has been recovered. We have also smashed the hawala cartel, which was backing this drug cartel. We have… pic.twitter.com/GcI7n0qwDE
— ANI (@ANI) June 10, 2025
According to senior police officials, the arrested individuals include Malkit Singh, Karandeep Singh alias Karan, Jaspreet Singh, Arshdeep Singh alias Ars (who shockingly operated from jail), Gurmeet Singh alias Gitu, and Rajinderpal alias Nikka. The investigation revealed that Arshdeep, despite being in judicial custody, was coordinating with Pakistani handlers through encrypted communication channels.
Digital forensics pointed to Pakistan-based smugglers acting as remote coordinators, pushing heroin consignments via cross-border routes in the Tarn Taran–Amritsar belt, which has become a hotspot for drug infiltration. The cartels used dead-drop locations to avoid direct contact and employed crypto and cash-based couriers, making the trail difficult to track.
This isn’t the first time such a pattern has emerged. Intelligence reports have long highlighted Pakistan’s role in promoting narco-terrorism to destabilize Punjab socially and economically. However, the fact that operations were being directed from inside an Indian jail adds a new layer of urgency to jail reforms and stricter surveillance.
Hawala Network and Crypto Trails Uncovered in Punjab Drug Case
Along with drugs, the police also seized ₹8.7 lakh in cash linked to hawala transactions, a common method used to launder money earned from narcotics. The cartel operated a well-oiled financial ecosystem that used illegal cash networks to settle payments, avoiding the banking system entirely.
Police have sent mobile phones, SIM cards, and handwritten ledgers for forensic examination. Authorities are now tracking down Dubai-based financiers and handlers suspected to be backing this cartel, potentially exposing a larger international drug financing chain.
Commissioner Bhullar confirmed that the accused will be booked under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act along with charges related to money laundering and criminal conspiracy. This marks another success under Mission Drug-Free Punjab, which has already resulted in the seizure of over 41 kg of heroin in the Amritsar zone in 2025 alone.
