Punjab: Faridkot police arrest key accused in 2023 drug recovery case

Punjab: Faridkot police in Punjab said they have arrested a key accused wanted in the 2023 heroin recovery case. Financial investigations are underway to uncover the money trail and freeze assets acquired through illicit drug procedures.
In a post on X, Director General of Police, Punjab, Gaurav Yadav, said, "Acting on backward linkages, @FaridkotPolice achieves major breakthrough in combating cross-border narco smuggling! Gulab Singh, a key accused wanted in the 77 kg Heroin Recovery case, 2023 has been apprehended"
DGP Yadav said, "He was involved in delivering 36 kg of the contraband and maintaining connections with Pakistan-based smugglers."
"His arrest is poised to significantly disrupt the entire smuggling network and prevent future trafficking activities. Financial investigations are underway to trace the money trail and freeze assets acquired through illicit drug proceeds," DGP Yadav added.
On August 16, in a major blow to illegal arms smuggling, the State Special Operation Cell (SSOC), SAS Nagar, apprehended one person for running an inter-state organised arms smuggling racket. Four illegal .32 pistols have also been recovered, said Punjab police on Friday.
The accused was providing logistical assistance to various gangs, he was supplying illegal arms in Punjab from Madhya Pradesh, said Punjab police.
SSOC Mohali is working to uncover the entire network, following both forward and backward linkages, Punjab police added.
Earlier on August 14, in a breakthrough against organised crime, the Anti Gangster Task Force of Punjab Police arrested five persons, including the mastermind Sunil Bhandari alias Nata, who were wanted in several cases of heinous crimes including three recent killings in Ferozepur.
According to the Police, the accused Nata was the mastermind of the broad daylight sensational murder on July 31, 2024. The gang was moving in two SUVs when arrested on a tip-off early morning near National Highway Rajpura. 5 pistols with 40 live cartridges and two vehicles were recovered.