Panchkula: Opium found inside a chocolate box; ‘mastermind’ arrested, sent to judicial custody

DCP (Crime) Amit Dahiya shared that the case dates back to July 2024. Jaskaran, a native of Punjab, was employed in Bengaluru at the time. He had contacted his associate, Jaspreet Singh, and a resident of Mohali, to arrange the delivery of opium. On July 19, 2024, Jaspreet allegedly dispatched a courier from Mohali by concealing opium inside a chocolate box.

The parcel was intercepted during a routine check at the Industrial Phase 1 area in Panchkula, where authorities recovered approximately 48.71 grams of opium. Considering the gravity of the situation, police promptly arrested Jaspreet, who was sent to Ambala Jail on March 17. His anticipatory bail plea had already been dismissed by the court.

Meanwhile, Jaskaran, considered the mastermind behind the operation, was evading arrest. He too had approached the Punjab and Haryana High Court seeking anticipatory bail, which was denied on May 26. Eventually, ASI Dhani Ram apprehended him on June 29 after persistent efforts.

A case under Sections 18 and 29 of the NDPS Act has been registered against Jaskaran at the police station in Sector 20, Panchkula. The police are now actively investigating potential links and the wider network involved in this drug smuggling operation.

Commenting on the development, Dahiya said, “no matter how cunning or high-tech the methods of drug smuggling, our vigilant police teams and meticulous investigations ensure that criminals cannot escape. This arrest exemplifies the professional and uncompromising approach of Panchkula Police in tackling crime”