International Drug Cartel Busted: Jalandhar Police Apprehend Nine, Seize 22 kg of Opium
Jalandhar, 11th March 2024: Jalandhar police have apprehended nine additional individuals involved in an international drug cartel case, seizing 22 kg of opium from their possession. This development comes a week after the Jalandhar police commissionerate exposed the cartel’s activities, which involved smuggling drugs overseas through couriers. The arrested individuals are part of the larger nexus, and investigations are ongoing.
In connection with the case, six officials from the customs department are now under scrutiny, and a comprehensive investigation has been initiated. The police commissioner, Swapan Sharma, disclosed that the international drug cartel was engaged in smuggling narcotics to the UK, US, Australia, and Canada using courier agencies.
Among the arrested individuals is Abhi Ram alias Alex, a resident of Jharkhand, identified as the grower and collector of opium. He was apprehended with 12 kg of opium in Ranchi. Additionally, Money, Pawan, and Sikandar from Jalandhar, along with Balihar from Hoshiarpur, were arrested with 5 kg of opium. These individuals, who own courier companies and firms, were involved in collecting opium, packaging, and dispatching couriers to customs in Delhi.
The accused received destination details for the opium packets from five entities based in the UK, US, Australia, and Canada. Two more individuals, Amarjit Kaur and Sunny from Jalandhar, were arrested for their involvement in transferring drug money entering the country through hawala routes.
The police impounded vehicles used in transporting drug money, and Amit Shukla, a Western Union operator from Phagwara, was arrested for his role in hawala transactions. These transactions involved receiving drug money from abroad and distributing it to operators in Punjab, Jharkhand, and Delhi.
Furthermore, a Delhi-based accused named Parmod was arrested for maintaining ties with Delhi customs officials. It was revealed that substantial sums of money were paid to customs officials for clearing each parcel destined for transportation to foreign countries.
Commissioner Sharma detailed that six customs officers have been nominated, and the investigation is ongoing. Thirty bank accounts, with a significant money transfer amounting to ₹9 crore, have been frozen. Additionally, 12 properties worth ₹6 crore, derived from drug money, have been identified.
