'Arrested drug peddlers have links in Pakistan, Afghanistan'

Five drug peddlers, who were arrested from border areas in Rajasthan, are suspected to have direct links with drug smugglers in Pakistan and Afghanistan from where the drug was smuggled to India.

"One of the accused Abdul Karim's maternal uncle Mehardeen lives in Amarkot in Pakistan and has links with drug smugglers in Afghanistan. Karim is also suspected to have direct links with smugglers in Afghanistan. The drug was smuggled from across the border to Barmer," DGP Manoj Bhatt said today.

The five peddlers were arrested yesterday with 9 kg heroin, worth Rs 45 crore in the international market, from different places in Jaisalmer and Barmer districts, which share border with Pakistan.
 

The accused peddlers were identified as Karim, Aarab Khan, Kunda, Jakab and Arjun Singh.

Karim and Aarab Khan were caught in a joint operation by ATS, Jaisalmer and Barmer police while they were carrying 3 kg heroin in bottles.

ATS SP Dr Vishnu Kant said that it was first time that the drug was being smuggled hidden in bottles.