Punjab man held in heroin smuggling case

Jaipur: A heroin smuggling case linked to Pakistan once again led police to a smuggler from Punjab. Anupgarh police on Friday arrested a 20-year-old man identified as Mangat Jeet Singh from Ferozepur district in Punjab on a production warrant. He is being interrogated in connection with the seizure of 3 kg of heroin that was dropped by a drone from Pakistan in August 2024, sources said. Police stated that the main accused has also been identified and will be arrested soon from Punjab.

According to SP Sriganganagar Gaurav Yadav, the incident took place on the night of August 9, 2024, in the Rohi area of the border village 30 APD near Anupgarh. A drone crossed over from Pakistan and dropped a consignment of heroin inside Indian territory. Around four to five smugglers from Punjab arrived to pick up the consignment but failed to retrieve it.

The Border Security Force recovered the drone and the packets of heroin from the area. A case was registered at the Anupgarh police station against unknown persons at the time.

"We analysed the call details retrieved from nearby mobile towers. We found that Mangat Jeet Singh, who is accused in some other cases of cross-border heroin smuggling, was in the area. Further investigation proved his involvement, following which he was arrested," Anupgarh station house officer Ishwar Prasad Jangid said.

The officer added that the main accused, Baljeet Singh, who is also from Punjab, has been identified. Mangat Jeet Singh is now in police custody until April 27, as per court orders. Police said Singh is not the main supplier but is suspected to be part of a larger smuggling network.

"He was a carrier and used to charge Rs 1 lakh per kg of heroin to pick it up after being dropped by drones and transport it to the smuggling gang in Punjab," said the officer. MSID:: 120623270 413 |