The Counter Intelligence (CI) unit of Amritsar has busted another cross-border narcotics smuggling module with the arrest of two alleged operatives and the recovery of 30 kg of heroin, taking the total heroin seizure by the unit to 68 kg in the last 10 days.

The accused have been identified as Gurpreet Singh alias Gopi, a resident of Shaheed Udham Singh Nagar, and Gagandeep Singh, a resident of Bhalla Colony, both in Amritsar. Police also impounded their Hero Deluxe motorcycle, allegedly used to transport the narcotics.

Director General Punjab Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav said preliminary investigations revealed that the accused were acting on the directions of a foreign-based handler linked to cross-border smugglers. They allegedly collected heroin consignments from designated locations and delivered them to different parties across Punjab.

According to the DGP, the CI Amritsar team received specific intelligence that the two suspects had recently retrieved a large heroin consignment and were on their way to deliver it near Gaunsabad village, under the Kambo police station area. Acting on the tip-off, police set up checkpoints, intercepted the motorcycle and recovered 30 kg of heroin from their possession.

This is the third major drug haul by CI Amritsar since July 6. The unit had earlier recovered 13 kg of heroin on July 6 after arresting three accused, followed by the seizure of 25 kg on July 7 with the arrest of three more persons.

With Tuesday's recovery, CI Amritsar has seized 68 kg of heroin in just 10 days, highlighting the scale of cross-border drug trafficking attempts.

Police said further investigations are underway to establish both the forward and backward linkages of the network, identify the foreign-based handler and trace other members of the supply chain.

A case has been registered under Sections 21, 25 and 29 of the NDPS Act at the State Special Operations Cell (SSOC), Amritsar.