NTF’s vigorous crackdown: 58 arrested in 29 NDPS act cases against drug suppliers in 2023

The NTF team worked on curbing drug trafficking in 2023, also gaining control over an international drug syndicate. In this operation, they arrested 58 individuals in 29 cases under the NDPS Act, seizing approximately INR 3,02,71,050 worth of narcotics and around INR 1,00,00,000 in drug money. The Anti-Narcotics Task Force arrested two drug traffickers during their actions against drug suppliers. From the possession of suspects Mohammad Imtiyaz and Gagan, they recovered 54.13 grams of amphetamine (ICE), 98.08 grams of heroin, and 150 grams of gold.

The NTF has initiated an investigation against the arrested individuals under the NDPS Act at Police Station-36, UT Chandigarh. DSP Crime Udaypal Singh provided information, stating that the Chandigarh administration restructured the Anti-Narcotics Task Force on June 15, 2022, to monitor the drug situation in Chandigarh.
The team, under the supervision of Inspector Satvinder, arrested 58 individuals in 29 cases. The seized items included 1 kilogram of international-grade heroin, 403.35 grams of INR 1,500,000, 7 kilograms of charas worth INR 31,49,600, 226.209 kilograms of poppy husk valued at INR 6,25,140, 182.63 grams of amphetamine (ICE) worth INR 22,78,410, 5.20 grams of cocaine worth INR 52,000, 48 kilograms of cannabis worth INR 5,00,000, 2 weapons worth INR 50,000, 6 live cartridges worth INR 3,000, and a cash amount of INR 86,12,900. Additionally, 150 grams of gold and 4 vehicles (2 four-wheelers and 2 two-wheelers) were recovered, amounting to a total value of INR 4,00,00,000.
The primary case, registered on July 28, 2023, under the NDPS Act and Arms Act at Police Station-34, UT Chandigarh, involved the recovery of 108 grams of amphetamine (ICE) and 70 grams of heroin (commercial quantity). In this case, the accused Shubham Jain, alias Gaurav, was apprehended with a .32 bore country-made pistol and 5 live cartridges. During the police remand of Ravinder and Chander, cash amounting to INR 78,38,200 and 107.52 grams of heroin were recovered. Another accused, Jagjit Singh, alias Jagga, was brought from Firozpur jail under a production warrant.

An operator involved in hawala transactions was arrested in Delhi, and INR 22,000 was seized from his possession. The NCB was also searching for him in a drug money laundering case.
In another case on October 15, 2023, five drug traffickers were arrested, and 170 kilograms of poppy straw were seized from their possession. The arrested individuals were Gurpreet Singh from Sangatpur village, Mohali district, Jaswant Singh from Kot Dasmesh Nagar, Lohara Daska, Sangrur district, Kan Singh Purawat from Makariya, Khacharol, Bhilwara, Rajasthan, Mangat from Vikas Nagar, Maulijagran, UT Chandigarh, and Ashik Hussain from Kumharmolla, Bhadsar, Chittorgarh, Rajasthan. The case was registered under the NDPS Act at Police Station Manimajra, UT Chandigarh.
The NCB also registered a case on January 17, 2023, under the NDPS Act at Police Station-39. In this case, three individuals were involved in drug trafficking from Pakistan using drones. The accused were Harpreet Singh, alias Happy, resident of Jayanti Pur village, Tek-Majitha, Amritsar district, Punjab, Ranjit Singh, alias Rana, resident of Dauke village, Amritsar district, Punjab, and Ranjit Singh, alias Rana, resident of Dauke village, Amritsar district, Punjab. They were arrested, and from their possession, 175.26 grams of heroin and INR 12,000 in drug money were seized.
In a significant breakthrough, the police arrested Parvesh, resident of Sector-39B, Chandigarh, and Bhaveshwar, resident of Gram-Shalvada, Panchayat Bagi, Mandi district, Himachal Pradesh. They were arrested with the recovery of 4 kilograms 920 grams of charas (commercial quantity). Additionally, the NCB and NTF collaborated to arrest a drug trafficker, Shiva, from Panchkula, who was found in possession of 48 kilograms of cannabis.
This extensive operation dismantled an international drug trafficking network involving individuals from various states and countries. The accused were arrested, and substantial quantities of drugs and drug money were seized from their possession. The NCB and NTF have been actively conducting operations to curb drug trafficking and have made significant strides in this regard.