Two drug smugglers arrested under PIT-NDPS, sent to jail in Assam

The development came four days after the NCB arrested notorious drug smuggler Balwinder Singh alias Billa Havelian under the stringent law.

Billa’s arrest was the first of its kind operation, aimed at breaking the links between the drug mafia and the jails in the region, initiated by the Punjab agency.

Under the strict Prevention of Illicit Trafficking in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (PITNDPS), a repeat offender can be placed under preventive detention for a period of one year without bail.

Akshay was the kingpin of the international drug network and was arrested at Jaipur airport in November 2022.

Later during the investigation, the NCB arrested Jaspal Singh, alias Goldy, who was a member of the syndicate.

Investigations have revealed that this Ludhiana-based drug cartel smuggled nearly 1,400 kg of heroin from locations including ICP (Integrated Check Post) Attari in Punjab and Mundra seaport in Gujarat, the NCB said in a statement.

Twenty people, including the drug lord, human traffickers and two Afghan nationals, have been arrested in the case, the report said.

The NCB seized 40 kg of heroin and 557 grams of opium and also dismantled two heroin processing locations.

So far, properties of this syndicate worth over Rs 57 crore have been attached by the NCB.