Major Drug Bust in Chandigarh: Police Dismantle Two Inter-State Narcotics Networks, Seize Rs 8.15 Crore Worth of Drugs

Synthetic drugs with a market value exceeding Rs 8.15 crore were confiscated during the operations.

The Crime Branch of Chandigarh Police has successfully dismantled two major inter-state drug trafficking networks operating throughout the Tricity region and neighboring states in a significant anti-narcotics operation.

Crime Branch SP Jasbir Singh informed NDTV that these coordinated operations, documented in two separate FIRs, resulted in the arrest of 12 individuals and the seizure of commercial quantities of cocaine, heroin, and synthetic drugs valued at over Rs 8.15 crore.

In the first operation, acting on confidential intelligence, the Crime Branch team detained Ashwani Kumar, also known as Ashu, in Sector 40 and recovered 47.80 grams of heroin. His arrest initiated a series of revelations that led to the apprehension of Sonu (alias Kallu/Don) and Salman from Sector 56 and Maloya.

Further interrogations yielded 100.60 grams of heroin and 2.01 grams of ICE. Police subsequently arrested Sunil (alias Darchi) and Anup, whose testimonies identified a key interstate supplier named Bunty from Dhakoli, Zirakpur.

A search of Bunty's residence uncovered 523 grams of cocaine, Rs 20.64 lakh in cash, gold ornaments, and various incriminating materials. Additional searches led to the recovery of another 490 grams of cocaine, heroin, crack balls, and drug money from multiple suspects.

The total haul from this syndicate included 1.02 kg of cocaine, 197 grams of heroin, 2.01 grams of ICE, Rs 21 lakh in cash, gold ornaments, and two vehicles. Investigators discovered that Bunty procured cocaine from a Delhi-based supplier named Sunny and other synthetic drugs from African nationals, while local dealers distributed the substances throughout Chandigarh.

In a separate operation on November 19, another team arrested Rahul and Arun Kumar in Chandigarh, seizing 146.36 grams of cocaine. Their questioning led to the arrests of Inderjeet Singh (alias Rohit), Tinku, Akash, and Vishal.

Investigations revealed that Arun Kumar was the primary handler who sourced cocaine from Delhi and utilized multiple bank accounts to channel drug money. Rahul delivered drugs through discreet "drop point" locations using photos and GPS coordinates to avoid direct contact with customers. Akash managed financial transactions, while Inderjeet served as a connection to a Punjab-based supplier identified as Gill.

This second operation resulted in the seizure of 184 grams of cocaine, 279 grams of heroin, Rs 5 lakh in drug money, gold and silver jewelry, two vehicles, a note-counting machine, and other items.

According to Crime Branch officials, both syndicates operated in a structured manner, employing digital payments, proxy bank accounts, and interstate supply chains. Investigations into both cases are continuing.