6 arrested in cross-border narco smuggling racket in Chandigarh

Pak-based handler used drones to push heroin into India; drugs worth Rs 1.25 crore seized.

Chandigarh | Updated: August 21, 2025 10:11 PM IST

The Chandigarh Police Crime Branch has arrested six persons in a drug racket bust. (Representational)

In a major crackdown on a cross-border drug smuggling network, the Chandigarh Police Crime Branch has arrested six persons, including a woman, and unearthed an interstate and international narcotics syndicate linked to a Pakistan-based handler. Drugs worth Rs 1.25 crore have been seized.

The action was taken based on an FIR registered on August 5 under Section 21 of the NDPS Act at the Police Station Crime, Chandigarh. The case was cracked by a team comprising SP (Crime) Jasbir Singh, DSP (Crime) Dhiraj Kumar, and SHO Satvinder Singh.

The operation began on August 5 when ASI Naseeb Singh, during patrol duty, received a tip-off and recovered 54 grams of cocaine from Pooja, daughter of a notorious drug peddler from Sector 38, Chandigarh. Following her arrest and disclosure, multiple raids were conducted in the Tricity and Punjab, leading to the arrest of five more accused: Sameer and Mohd Juned from Chandigarh, Nihal Singh, Amritpal Singh, alias Gopi, and Sahibjeet Singh, alias Sabhu, from Amritsar.

The seizures include 654 grams of heroin, 112 grams of cocaine, and an Activa scooter. The estimated value of the drugs is Rs 1.25 crore.

Pak link, drones used for supply

According to the police, the syndicate was operating with the help of Pakistan-based handler Zubair Rana from Lahore’s Padhana area. He allegedly sent consignments of heroin across the border using drones. Rana was in contact with Juned, Nihal, Sahibjeet, and Amritpal via Instagram and WhatsApp. Another associate, Yugraj from Amritsar, was recently arrested by Punjab Police with 500 grams of heroin after being caught by BSF while picking up a drone delivery.

Modus operandi and roles

• Pooja: A local peddler selling to addicts in Sector 38, she sourced drugs from Sameer. Recovery: 54 g cocaine and an Activa scooter.

• Sameer (21): Supplier in Tricity, sourced drugs from Juned. Recovery: 58.22 g cocaine, 9.43 g heroin.

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• Mohd Juned: Linked to the Pak handler, procured drugs from Amritsar-based suppliers. Recovery: 45.90 g heroin.

• Nihal Singh (31): Interstate supplier; previously booked under NDPS Act. Recovery: 36.04 g heroin.

• Sahibjeet Singh (24): Courier and money handler, related to Gopi. Recovery: 23 g heroin.

• Amritpal Singh alias Gopi (24): Kingpin, coordinated drone drops through Yugraj. Recovery: 538 g heroin.

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Several of the accused have previous NDPS cases. While Pooja, Sameer, Juned, and Nihal are in judicial custody, Sahibjeet and Amritpal are under police remand.

Police said the investigation is ongoing to trace financial transactions and identify more associates in the network.

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