Major drug racket with international link busted in Punjab

With the arrest of an alleged drug smuggler, Punjab Police today claimed to have unearthed an "important" heroin trafficking chain having bases in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
The police also claimed to have seized 25.5 kg heroin during the last five days worth over Rs 127 crore in the street market.
"Mumtaz Mohammad Ali, who was arrested today with 1.5 kg of heroin, is an associate of drug "kingpin" Bacchu Mian of Rampur in Uttar Pradesh," said Gaurav Yadav, Inspector General of Police (IGP) Counter Intelligence, Punjab.
He said while Bacchu Mian is still out of police clutches, one of his accomplices Vinod Kumar alias Lucky of Hoshiarpur district was arrested some days ago.

Probe has revealed that Bacchu Mian was the "end recipient" of an important heroin trafficking chain starting from Afghanistan to Pakistan, crossing the international border in Jammu and Kashmir, transiting through Punjab and Delhi and ending in UP where it is supplied to distribution network, he said.
Bacchu Mian used to collect heroin consignments from their Punjab accomplices in a mini-truck with fake Haryana registration number.

Elaborate arrangements were made in the vehicle to avoid detection of heroin during transportation and the consignment was hidden in a cavity inside a mustard seed grinder, Yadav said.
"Investigations have revealed that Bacchu Mian has also been using Afghan couriers for transporting heroin consignments hidden in capsules," he said.

The supply chain unravelled today has 'Bacchu Mian' of Rampur, UP as the "end recipient" with consignments coming from Pakistan and transiting through Punjab and Delhi, Yadav said.
Several drug rackets have been busted in the sustained police action during the past three weeks, and so far over 300 kg drugs have been seized this year.
He said that investigations have revealed that the heroin smuggled from across the international border transits through Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir before reaching metropolitan cities and major supply hubs which funnel the heroin in the distribution network of the country, and supply the consignments to the international market.