194-kg heroin haul: 2 more held, hawala connection being probed

THE NAMES OF THOSE NABBED CROPPED UP DURING QUESTIONING OF THE ACCUSED ARRESTED IN THE CASE EARLIER, SAY POLICE

AMRITSAR: The anti-drug special task force (STF) of Punjab Police has arrested two more accused in connection with the recovery of 194-kg heroin haul from a house in the Sultanwind area of Amritsar city.

The accused have been identified as Kuldeep Singh of Muglani village of Tarn Taran district and Malkiat Singh of Patran in Patiala district.

“Their names cropped up during the questioning of the accused arrested earlier. Preliminary investigation has suggested that the duo, in collusion with the other accused, including Punjabi movie actor Mantej Mann, cleared five to six consignments of heroin,” said inspector general of police, STF,

Kaustubh Sharma.

An STF official, seeking anonymity, said heroin was smuggled by the accused in Punjab and neighbouring states during the past one-and-a-half years.

Besides, the police have also detained a money exchanger from Amritsar, who had been involved in the transactions of the heroin’s proceeds through hawala.

He said the hawala racket in the case is also being probed.

On February 1, the STF claimed to have unearthed a major heroin supply racket having overseas connections with the recovery of 194-kg heroin from a house with the arrest of seven people, including a 24-year-old woman and an Afghan national. Later, police also arrested Mantej Mann.

On February 4, the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) of Gujarat joined the STF’s investigation. The ATS had been on the trail of Simranjit Sindh Sandhu, a resident of Ranjit Avenue in Amritsar and a proclaimed offender. He is believed to be the kingpin of the racket busted by STF. Sandhu was also wanted in the 300-kg heroin smuggling case registered in Gujarat. Sandhu was arrested recently in Italy on the basis of a red corner notice (RCN) issued by the Interpol on request of Gujarat ATS.