NRI drug ring busted in Punjab; 4 held

Jalandhar, June 2
Synthetic drugs have starting making inroads into Punjab. The state police on Saturday claimed to have busted a drug ring involving NRIs and highly qualified traffickers and seized contraband worth Rs 200 crore. 
Of the seven-member gang, four are in the police net. Over 34 kg Methamphetamine and 19 kg Ephedrine, also known as “Ice” or “rave party drug,” have been recovered from the accused.
The police said the gang was running its operations in India and abroad, particularly New Zealand. It used to manufacture drugs in Punjab as well as in Delhi.
Those arrested have been identified as Amandeep Singh Cheema, a resident of Malot in Sangrur (he is now based in Mohali), Sukhwinder Singh Laddu of Chack Sangha village in Garshankar, Harkanwaljit Singh alias Harpinder Singh alias Rupa of Jindowal near Banga and Harjinder Singh alias Jindu of Behram in Nawanshahar.
Ranjit Singh Raja, a resident of Huppowal in Nawanshahar, is said to be the kingpin. He along with Gurinder Singh and Swarup Singh, both residents of Purhiran village near Hoshiarpur, are yet to be arrested.
A foreign national, Milan, is also said to be part of the gang.
“The drug has been recovered from the house of Sukhwinder Singh in Garshankar by a special team formed by Jalandhar (Rural) SSP Yurinder Singh and SP (D) Rajinder Singh,” said Jalandhar Zone IG Gurpreet Deo. “Two cars, I-20 and Indica Vista, have been recovered from the accused, who ran a well-oiled network for distribution of the drug to revellers across the country and abroad. The accused led a lavish lifestyle and had hefty bank accounts. They have properties in Mohali and Delhi too,” said the IG.