Chandigarh: In a major strike against organised crime, the Amritsar Commissionerate Police, working with a central agency, have dismantled an interstate network allegedly dealing in illegal arms, narcotics and hawala transactions, officials said.
Seven people, including an Afghan national and a juvenile, were detained during the operation, police said. Authorities recovered 10 advanced firearms — among them two sub‑machine guns — 5.048 kg of heroin and ₹30.38 lakh thought to be proceeds or funds moved through hawala channels, as reported by The Statesman.
Network, Handlers & Communications
Punjab Director General of Police said on social media that the operation had uncovered a tightly knit network allegedly moving guns, drugs and illicit money. Early inquiries indicate the accused communicated with overseas handlers who directed activities via various social media platforms.
Investigators say consignments of weapons and drugs were received from external sources and then routed to criminal groups and gangs across multiple locations. Police described the arrested individuals as intermediaries who helped transport, store and distribute those consignments.
Hawala Trail & Ongoing Probe
The probe has revealed signs of a widespread hawala system used to move money tied to the network. Officials suspect the financial trail may cross state and national borders, indicating a broader international link.
Authorities said foreign connections are being examined in depth. Intelligence inputs and technical evidence gathered so far point to several overseas handlers possibly directing operations remotely while local operatives carried out tasks on the ground.
A case has been registered at the Islamabad Police Station in Amritsar under relevant legal provisions. Teams are now analysing digital devices, financial documents and communication records to identify more suspects. Police said further arrests and recoveries are likely as investigations continue, with multiple squads deployed for follow‑up raids to trace other people believed to be part of the syndicate.
Officials called the action an important measure to disrupt organised criminal operations tied to illegal arms trafficking, drug smuggling and hawala financing, and said efforts to uncover the full scope of the network and prosecute those responsible are ongoing.
