Drug Inspector Arrested in Punjab's Major Anti-Narcotics Operation

A drug inspector, Shishan Mittal, was arrested in Mohali for his alleged role in facilitating drug smuggling and money laundering. The Punjab Police froze 24 bank accounts linked to Mittal, uncovering assets worth crores. The ongoing investigation reveals Mittal's involvement with jailed smugglers and foreign travels without official permission.

A drug inspector, who allegedly facilitated drug smuggling operations and was in touch with jailed smugglers, has been arrested from Mohali, an officer said on Friday.

Shishan Mittal was held for his alleged involvement in facilitating drug smuggling operations connected to illegal pharmaceuticals, medical stores, and laundering the drug money in 'benami' accounts in the names of his relatives, Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav said here.

The development came about a month after Punjab Police froze 24 bank accounts—with a total amount reaching Rs 7.09 crore—linked to the accused, besides seizing a huge cash and foreign currency during a series of coordinated raids conducted at different locations in Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh.

In addition to this, two bank lockers were also seized, Yadav said.

Police recovered Rs 1.49 crore cash, 260 gm of gold, and 515 Dirhams.

Furthermore, substantial assets acquired through the proceeds of illegal activities were identified, including flats valued at Rs 2 crore in Zirakpur, a Rs 40 lakh worth plot in Dabwali among many others, he added.

Mittal was held by the Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) of the Punjab Police.

DGP Yadav said police teams from ANTF, headed by Special DGP Kuldeep Singh, apprehended Mittal from Mohali through a combination of advanced technical surveillance and human intelligence.

Preliminary investigation suggested that Mittal had been regularly in touch with drug smugglers lodged inside the jail and facilitated their drug network outside.

The probe also found that Mittal was frequently traveling to foreign countries without government permission or availing ex-India leave, Yadav added.

This successful operation by the ANTF reflects its strategic approach to tackling complex criminal networks, the DGP said, adding that further investigations are ongoing in this case.

Mittal's anticipatory bail application was recently rejected by the session court, further underscoring the severity of the charges against him, Yadav said.

A FIR has already been registered under sections 29 and 59 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act and section 111 of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) in this regard.

(With inputs from agencies.)