26 kg heroin seized in Punjab, 4 arrested

Amritsar, Mar 23 (UNI) Sleuths of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) seized 26.200 kg heroin worth over Rs 26 crore in the international market at two different places in the border belt since last night.

According to DRI sources, 22.200 kg heroin enroute to Canada was seized near Mirakot chowk, a couple of Kms from the Raja Sansi international airport here this morning. The sole occupant of the car identified as Purshottam Sondhi, a resident of Jalandhar and a leader of the Youth Wing of the ruling Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) was taken into custody and later arrested under the NDPS Act.

DRI officials said that the heroin packets were concealed in sealed packets containing ladies suits, kept in a suitcase in the car. The suitcase was to be delivered by the alleged accused to a Canada-bound passenger at the airport. Further investigations are on in the case.

In another incident four kg heroin was seized on the outskirts of Naurangabad village in Tarn Taran district last night. Four persons identified as Manjit Singh and Nishan Singh of Naurangabad and Hira Singh of Muradpura village were taken into custody.

Police verifications revealed that Hira Singh was active in trans border crimes and had even spent sometime in a jail in Pakistan.

UNI XC-HS VN1723