CIA busts inter-state heroin smuggling racket

MOGA: The counter intelligence wing (CIA) of Jalandhar and Moga police on Tuesday busted an inter-state racket of heroin smugglers and seized 1.5kg of the contraband from a Darjeeling-based drug supplier at Kot Isse Khan in Moga.

The accused has been identified as Ritesh Gurung (27) of Mirik village in Darjeeling, West Bengal, presently staying at Delhi.

AIG (counter intelligence) Jalandhar Harkamal Preet Singh Khakh said the wing received a tip-off about notorious smuggler Balwant Singh Gupta of Daullewal village in Moga, who was in contact with Delhi-based smugglers and was supposed to receive a big consignment from a Darjeeling resident at Kot Isse Khan.

The information was shared with Moga SSP Amarjit Singh Bajwa following which a joint team of counter intelligence wing and cops of Kot Isse Khan police station was formed to nab the drug peddlers.

“The police party intercepted one Delhi-based smuggler from Kot Ise Khan to Makhu road where Ritesh was waiting for the other party and seized 1.5kg heroin from his possession which was hidden in a lady’s purse with several pockets. Other accused Balwant Gupta managed to escape from the spot on a motorcycle,” the AIG added.

“Preliminary interrogation of the accused revealed that he belonged to Darjeeling (West Bengal) and had come to Delhi seven years back in search of work. He was working as a waiter in a lounge bar where he came in contact with Delhi-based smugglers and agreed to smuggle the consignment to earn easy money,” said Khakh.

He said the consignment was meant for Balwant Gupta who had been operating a big smuggling nexus in Moga district. Gupta managed to flee the spot, but police parties had launched a manhunt to arrest him.

He said a case under sections of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act has been registered against the smugglers at Kot Isse Khan police station.