BSF recovers heroin worth Rs.30 crore in Punjab

Border Security Force (BSF) troopers recovered six kg of heroin along the India-Pakistan border in the Amritsar sector, a BSF official said on Sunday.

The heroin, in six packets, was found near the Border Out Post Uttar Dhariwal in Amritsar sector, nearly 280 km from Chandigarh.

The heroin recovered is valued at Rs.30 crore in the international market.

The packets were recovered following a tip-off about heroin being smuggled into India from Pakistan side.

"BSF troops, observed suspicious movement of Pakistani smugglers on the other side of border security Fence near the International Border. The smugglers started throwing some packets over the fence," a BSF spokesman said.

"The troops challenged them to stop but the Pakistani smugglers continued with their aggressive posture. BSF troops challenged them and opened fire. However, the smugglers managed to escape taking cover of darkness and high growth of wild grass," the spokesman said.

The heroin packets were recovered from the spot following a search later on.

With the latest seizure, the BSF has seized over 154 kg of heroin this year in the Punjab sector, including nearly 75 kg in the Amritsar sector. The seizure of heroin in 2014 was 361 kg in the Punjab sector, which was the highest in any year.