LUDHIANA: Two of the leaders of drug smuggling gang arrested

Dehlon police have arrested two members of a gang of drug smugglers who were on the run after a case was registered under the NDPS Act last Saturday.

The accused include gang leader Hoshiar Singh Soni of Jodhan and driver-turned-transporter Mukesh Kumar of Masinghan village. Today, one quintal of sawdust was seized from the duo while they were traveling in a car near Jassowal village in Ludhiana.

Earlier on Sunday morning, the police had seized 10 quintals of poppy seeds and a truck from the possession of Jammu Singh of Ghungharana.

After interrogation, the three suspects, who are on three-day police remand, made shocking revelations about the gang’s modus operandi. Contrary to the earlier police announcement, 50 bags of poppy husk, each weighing 20 kg, were recovered from the truck driven by Jammu Singh. These were hidden in a secret chamber in the cabin in front of a container, which was seized after Soni and Mukesh Kumar gave information. Five bags were also kept hidden in the same chamber. The police have also included the unknown driver of the container in the FIR registered against the accused on Saturday.

Investigating officer Subhash Kataria said the investigation revealed that the accused used to transfer the consignment from one vehicle to another before sending it for distribution on the isolated Ghunghrana Dry Road on the outskirts of Lehra village. He said that about 20 quintals of smuggled goods could be hidden in the secret room.

On receiving information about the gang’s activities, Dehlon police under the supervision of ACP Gurikbal Singh and SHO Varinder Kumar immediately took action. Jammu Singh was arrested on Sunday with a huge quantity of drugs, while Soni and Mukesh Kumar are also now behind bars.