KATHUA — Jammu and Kashmir Police have busted an alleged inter-state narcotics smuggling network in Kathua, seizing 2.672 kg of opium and arresting four persons, officials said on Monday.
Acting on a tip-off about the movement of narcotics, a team from Police Station Lakhanpur intercepted a truck bearing registration number PB05 AK 9902 at a naka on Bypass Road near Shamshaan Ghat, Lakhanpur. A search of the vehicle led to the recovery of 1.026 kg of opium, following which the driver and another person travelling with him were arrested.
The accused have been identified as Gurvinder Singh, a resident of Chuslewarh in Punjab’s Tarn Taran district, and Sukhdev Singh, a resident of Ghairowal in the same district.
During questioning, police said Sukhdev disclosed that the consignment had originated in Gujarat and was handed over to him in Rajasthan for delivery to a receiver in Punjab.
Acting on the information, a police team conducted a raid at Village Nakki in Parmanand area of Pathankot, where the intended receiver, Rakesh Kumar, was traced. Police said the narcotics package had been concealed at the residence of his neighbour, Ajay Kumar.
A subsequent search of Ajay Kumar’s premises led to the recovery of the concealed consignment, taking the total quantity of seized opium to 2.672 kg. Rakesh Kumar and Ajay Kumar were also arrested.
Police said an FIR under Sections 8, 18 and 29 of the NDPS Act has been registered at Police Station Lakhanpur and further investigation is underway to establish the forward and backward linkages of the alleged inter-state drug network. — (KIMS)