ANTF busts Narco-Hawala-Arms Syndicate; two held with drone-dropped heroin, pistols and cash
Ferozepur, March 18, 2026: In a breakthrough against cross-border smuggling, the Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF), Ferozepur Range, has arrested two alleged smugglers and recovered 5.710 kg heroin, four sophisticated pistols, ammunition and drug money amounting to ₹16.90 lakh.
The operation, carried out in line with the Punjab Government’s zero-tolerance policy against drugs, was conducted under the guidance of ADGP ANTF Punjab Nilabh Kishore and AIG ANTF Punjab Ashwini Gotyal.
Police said the action was taken under the close supervision of SP ANTF Ferozepur Range Gurinderbir Singh and DSP ANTF Ferozepur Range Pirthipal Singh. The breakthrough came following technical surveillance and credible human intelligence developed by a team led by SI Hardev Singh.
The arrested accused have been identified as Gurwinder Singh alias Gori and Sikander Singh alias Kali, both residents of village Nihala Kilcha under PS Sadar Ferozepur in Ferozepur district.
Investigations revealed that the accused were allegedly in direct contact with Pakistani smugglers and had recently received a consignment of contraband dropped by drone from across the International Border near their native village, Nihala Kilcha, situated along the Indo-Pak border.
According to officials, on March 16, the ANTF recovered 5.710 kg of heroin, ₹16.90 lakh drug money, and two .30 bore pistols along with two magazines and 10 live cartridges. During further investigation on March 17, the police also recovered one 9 mm Taurus pistol made in the USA with a magazine and 10 live cartridges, besides one .32 bore Carl Walther Waffenfabrik pistol made in Germany with a magazine.
Police also disclosed that Gurwinder Singh has a criminal background. A previous case, of March 13, 2024, under Sections 365, 506 and 34 of the IPC, had been registered against him at PS Mehatpur in Jalandhar Rural.
In the present case, of March 16, 2026, under Sections 21 and 27-A of the NDPS Act and Section 25 of the Arms Act, a case has been registered against both accused at PS ANTF, SAS Nagar.
SP ANTF Ferozepur Range Gurinderbir Singh said the operation is part of a broader strategy to choke the supply lines of cross-border narcotics and arms smuggling. Further investigation is underway to identify the local as well as foreign handlers and distributors linked to the syndicate.