Amritsar Police bust cross border arms and drug smuggling network

AMRITSAR, June 25, 2026 :- In a major breakthrough against transnational organized crime, the Amritsar Commissionerate Police busted a cross-border illegal arms, narcotics, and hawala network during a joint operation with a central agency.

The operation resulted in the apprehension of seven accused individuals, including an Afghan national and a juvenile. Security forces recovered a substantial haul from the suspects, including 10 sophisticated weapons featuring two sub-machine guns, 5.048 kilograms of heroin, and ₹30.38 lakh in hawala money.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the accused were allegedly linked to foreign-based handlers who operated and coordinated activities through various social media platforms. The network functioned by receiving smuggled consignments from across the border and subsequently distributing the narcotics and illegal weapons to localized criminal elements.

Furthermore, the syndicate actively utilized illicit hawala channels to conduct illegal financial transactions across various domestic and international locations.Following the successful operation, a formal First Information Report has been registered at the Islamabad Police Station in Amritsar.

A comprehensive investigation is currently underway to establish both backward and forward linkages, identify additional associates connected with the foreign-based network, and facilitate further recoveries and arrests. The Punjab Police reiterated their firm commitment to a zero-tolerance policy against drug trafficking, illegal arms smuggling, hawala operations, and organized crime.