Amritsar (Punjab) [India], May 13 (ANI): The Amritsar Commissionerate Police have busted a drug cartel linked to Turkey-based smuggler Navpreet Singh, also known as Nav Bhullar.

'Commissionerate Police Amritsar has received a very good success. Not only has a drug cartel been busted but the 'hawala' network has also been smashed. We have arrested three operatives- Gurdeep Singh, Pardeep Sharma & Mani Sharma,' Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar told ANI on Tuesday.

The police have recovered Rs 84.02 lakh in cash, Rs 22 lakh in frozen bank accounts, 1.01 kg of heroin, a car, and a counting machine.

'Gurdeep was the main operator and was handling the local level drug trade of Turkey-based Nav Bhullar...Rs 84.02 lakh in cash and Rs 22 lakh in frozen bank accounts have been recovered. We have recovered 1.01 kg of heroin, car and counting machine...' Commissioner Bhullar informed.

According to the preliminary investigation, arrested operative Gurdeep was operating the local network on the directions of Nav Bhullar, who had provided him with a hideout and logistics at Amritsar.

An FIR has been registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS Act), and an investigation is underway to trace backward and forward linkages of the cartel.

In an official post on X, Gaurav Yadav, the DGP of Punjab Police wrote, 'In a major crackdown on international narco-hawala cartel, Amritsar Commissionerate Police busts a drug cartel linked to #Turkey-based smuggler Navpreet Singh, Nav Bhullar and arrests his 3 operatives -- Gurdeep Singh, Pardeep Sharma & Mani Sharma. Recovery: 1.01 kg heroin, Rs1.06 crore hawala money(Rs84.02 lakh in cash & Rs22 lakh in frozen bank accounts), a cash counting machine & a car. Preliminary investigation reveals that Gurdeep was operating the local network on directions of Nav Bhullar, who had provided him a hideout and logistics at #Amritsar.'

https://x.com/DGPPunjabPolice/status/1921859189388837168

'An FIR under the NDPS Act is registered and investigation is underway to trace backward and forward linkages of the cartel. Punjab Police remains committed to disrupting transnational narco-financial networks and bringing perpetrators to justice,' the social media post reads.

Earlier, the Fazilka Police apprehended three drug smugglers and recovered 60,000 Tramadol (100mg) tablets -- a major haul of intoxicating pharmaceutical substances, said the DGP of Punjab. (ANI)