Amritsar Rural Police bust two cross-border smuggling modules; 4 arrested, 15 kg opium, 10 firearms seized
Kulwinder Singh
Amritsar (Punjab), October 10, 2026: : Amritsar Rural Police have arrested four people and seized 15 kg of opium, a US-made M16 assault rifle, nine modern pistols and live ammunition in operations that exposed two suspected cross-border smuggling modules, Inspector General of Police, Border Range, Gurpreet Singh Bhullar said on Saturday.
According to the police, the operation was conducted on the basis of specific intelligence under the leadership of Senior Superintendent of Police Kawalpreet Singh Chahal.
In one operation, police arrested Malkit Singh and Gurjit Singh, who are related as brothers-in-law. They allegedly possessed 15 packets containing a total of 15 kg of opium and an M16 assault rifle.
Police said the accused own land near the India-Pakistan international border. Investigators are examining their suspected links with cross-border smuggling networks.
Bhullar said the seizures were made as part of the Punjab government’s campaign against drug trafficking and gangsters. He noted that while cross-border smuggling cases frequently involve heroin, the recovery of a substantial quantity of opium was significant.
In a separate operation, the police Special Cell seized nine modern pistols and ammunition. The recoveries are being investigated as part of efforts to dismantle the suspected smuggling networks.
Consignments Allegedly Delivered Through Border Drops
Explaining the suspected modus operandi, Bhullar said consignments were allegedly sent from across the border through drop-offs. The packages were left at isolated locations, after which their locations were communicated to those tasked with collecting and distributing them.
This method allegedly allowed members of the network to coordinate deliveries without meeting each other directly.
Police are questioning the four arrested accused to identify other suspected members of the networks, trace the source of the weapons and establish the subsequent links in the supply chain.
Investigators are also pursuing legal action to seize properties allegedly acquired through drug trafficking, police said.
The investigation is continuing, with police seeking to establish the full extent of the suspected cross-border operations and identify those involved in supplying narcotics and illegal weapons.