Chandigarh, Sep 13: A drug inspector, who allegedly facilitated drug smuggling operations and maintained contact with jailed smugglers, has been arrested from Mohali, a top Punjab Police officer announced on Friday.
The Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) of the Punjab Police carried out the arrest during a targeted operation. In addition to apprehending the suspect, police seized Rs 1.49 crore in cash from the drug inspector’s possession.
In a statement released on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav confirmed the development, saying:
“In a major breakthrough, the Anti-Narcotics Task Force (#ANTF) @PunjabPoliceInd has successfully arrested a drug inspector from SAS Nagar. The accused was facilitating drug smuggling operations connected to illegal pharmaceuticals, medical stores, and laundering drug money.”
Yadav further disclosed that the drug inspector had been in contact with convicted smugglers currently serving time in prison, assisting them in expanding their drug network outside the prison walls.
The investigation uncovered substantial financial irregularities tied to the inspector’s illicit activities. The Anti-Narcotics Task Force identified and froze 24 bank accounts containing Rs 7.09 crore. Additionally, two bank lockers were seized during the operation.
Beyond the cash recovery, police also found 260 grams of gold and foreign currency. Investigators have traced significant assets acquired through the proceeds of the illegal operations, including real estate properties valued at Rs 2.40 crore in Zirakpur and Dabwali.
DGP Yadav emphasized the seriousness of the operation and the ongoing effort to dismantle such networks, stating, “This operation marks an important step in cracking down on drug-related corruption and will continue until the entire network is uprooted.”
The police investigation continues, and more arrests may follow as authorities work to dismantle the smuggling ring.
