Heroin weighing nearly 20 kg seized by ANTF and BSF during a joint anti-narcotics operation in Amritsar.
Over 19 Kg of Heroin Seized in Amritsar; Four Arrested in Joint ANTF-BSF Operation
In a major crackdown on cross-border drug trafficking, security agencies have seized over 19 kilograms of heroin in Amritsar, Punjab. The operation was carried out jointly by the Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) and the Border Security Force (BSF) following specific intelligence inputs. Four accused, including the alleged main operator responsible for managing the supply chain, have been arrested in connection with the case.
According to officials, the joint operation was launched after agencies received credible information about a large consignment of narcotics being handled by an organized network operating in and around the border district. Acting swiftly on the tip-off, teams from the ANTF and BSF coordinated surveillance and conducted targeted raids, leading to the recovery of 19.980 kilograms of heroin, a quantity considered extremely significant in narcotics enforcement.
Main Accused and Network Busted
Police sources revealed that among the four arrested individuals is the key handler who was allegedly overseeing the procurement, storage, and distribution of the heroin. Investigators believe that the accused was managing the local logistics and coordinating with other members of the network to supply drugs further into Punjab and other parts of the country.
“The arrest of the main operator is a major breakthrough,” a senior officer said. “Initial questioning suggests that this network had been active for some time and was involved in smuggling heroin through border routes before distributing it across multiple districts.”
The identities of the accused have not been disclosed yet, as further investigations are ongoing and authorities are working to trace additional links and possible accomplices.
NDPS Act Case Registered
An FIR has been registered under relevant sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, which carries stringent penalties for possession, trafficking, and distribution of banned substances. The seized heroin has been taken into official custody, and samples have been sent for forensic examination as part of standard procedure.
Officials confirmed that the investigation is now focused on identifying the source of the heroin, the route used for smuggling, and the end recipients of the consignment. Authorities are also examining whether the network has any cross-border connections or links with other drug syndicates operating in Punjab.
Joint Effort by Security Agencies
The operation highlights the growing coordination between state and central security agencies, particularly the ANTF and Border Security Force, in tackling the menace of drug trafficking along Punjab’s sensitive border areas. Officials noted that intelligence-sharing and joint field operations have significantly improved in recent months, leading to several successful seizures.
Punjab has long been grappling with the problem of drug abuse and trafficking, and Amritsar, being a border district, remains a vulnerable zone for smuggling attempts. Security agencies have intensified surveillance, increased patrolling, and enhanced the use of technology to intercept narcotics consignments.
Further Investigation Underway
Authorities stated that further arrests cannot be ruled out as the investigation progresses. Financial records, mobile phone data, and communication channels of the accused are being analyzed to uncover the full extent of the network and its operations.
Senior officials reiterated the government’s zero-tolerance policy toward drug trafficking. “We are committed to breaking the backbone of drug networks operating in Punjab. Such joint operations will continue, and those involved in the drug trade will face strict legal action,” an officer said.
The successful seizure of nearly 20 kilograms of heroin and the arrest of four accused mark a significant step in the ongoing fight against narcotics in the region, sending a strong message to drug traffickers operating along the border.
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