Amritsar: In a significant operation against organised crime, Punjab Police, working in coordination with a central intelligence agency, has uncovered an alleged cross-border network involved in the trafficking of narcotics, illegal weapons and hawala transactions. Seven individuals, including an Afghan national and a juvenile, have been apprehended during the crackdown.
Officials said the operation led to the seizure of a large cache of sophisticated firearms, substantial quantities of heroin and cash suspected to be linked to illegal financial channels. Among the weapons recovered were two sub-machine guns and several other advanced firearms, indicating the network’s access to high-grade weaponry.
Investigators also recovered more than five kilograms of heroin and over ₹30 lakh believed to be part of hawala-based transactions used to move money through unofficial channels.
According to preliminary findings, the accused were allegedly operating under the directions of handlers based outside India. These handlers reportedly used encrypted social media platforms and online communication tools to coordinate the movement of drugs, weapons and funds.
Police suspect the network functioned as a distribution chain, receiving consignments from across the border before supplying them to criminal elements operating in different regions. Authorities are also examining whether the syndicate had links with other organised groups involved in smuggling and illicit financial activities.
A case has been registered at Islamabad Police Station in Amritsar under relevant provisions of law. Investigators are now working to trace the source of the seized consignments and identify other individuals who may have facilitated the operations.
Senior officials said efforts are underway to establish both backward and forward linkages of the network, including identifying foreign-based masterminds, local collaborators and recipients of the weapons and narcotics.
The arrests are being viewed as a major breakthrough in Punjab’s ongoing campaign against drug trafficking and organised crime. Security agencies believe the operation may help uncover a wider network operating across multiple states and international borders.
Punjab Police reiterated its commitment to cracking down on narcotics smuggling, illegal arms trade, hawala transactions and other activities linked to organised criminal syndicates. Officials said further arrests and recoveries are expected as the investigation progresses and additional leads are pursued.
