ED Cracks Down on Massive Heroin Smuggling Network, Arrests Six

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has arrested six individuals in connection with a major cross-border drug smuggling operation. A total of 646.52 kg of heroin was seized in coordinated busts across Delhi, Punjab, and Haryana. The syndicate was linked to Afghanistan and Iran, utilizing sophisticated money laundering tactics.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) announced the arrest of six individuals connected to a significant cross-border drug smuggling network under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). These arrests were made by ED's Delhi unit through operations conducted on October 11, 18, and 20.

Identified suspects include Lovejit Singh alias Labba, Manjeet Singh alias Manna, Prabhjit Singh, Gurjot Singh, Ramandeep Singh, and Gurpreet Singh. The ED revealed that these individuals were pivotal in a drug trafficking operation involving heroin smuggled from Afghanistan into India.

Based on seizures of large heroin shipments by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence and Delhi Police Special Cell, the PMLA investigation disclosed a total of 646.52 kg of heroin has been seized in operations spanning from Nhava Sheva Port to locations in Faridabad, Haryana.

The ED investigation uncovered that the arrested individuals orchestrated the smuggling, storage, and distribution of the narcotic across regions including Punjab, Haryana, and Delhi. The syndicate's modus operandi involved concealing drugs in shipments marked as talc stone and gypsum powder.

Sandhu Exports, a front company managed by Prabhjit Singh, was identified as a key player in facilitating the smuggling activities. The federal agency exposed the network's complex structure characterized by multiple bank accounts and cash transactions used in laundering money.

The agency further noted that illicit fund origins were disguised, integrated into legitimate activities, with no payments made to Afghan suppliers until local market sales occurred. Accused individuals reportedly purchased vehicles like Toyota Fortuner, Etios, and Hyundai Verna using cash for drug trafficking logistics.

Moreover, significant cash investments were made in high-end phones and encrypted apps to coordinate their smuggling operations. Imported drugs via the Nava Sheva port were stored in a Madhya Pradesh godown before their distribution in smaller 10 kg quantities to evade law enforcement scrutiny.

Previous ED actions included attaching properties in Punjab's Rajpura and seizing multiple bank assets linked to the accused network members, the agency confirmed. (ANI)

(With inputs from agencies.)