Amritsar, 19 August (H.S.): The Amritsar Commissionerate Police has claimed to have busted three major networks allegedly involved in drug and illegal arms trafficking, arresting nine persons and recovering eight illegal pistols, 8.536 kg of heroin, ₹12.95 lakh in suspected drug money and four live cartridges.

According to the police, preliminary investigation has revealed that the accused were allegedly in contact with handlers based abroad. The suspects were reportedly receiving consignments of illegal weapons and heroin from foreign-based handlers and subsequently supplying them to other criminal elements.

The police have registered three separate FIRs at the Cantonment and Chheharta police stations in connection with the operation. Investigators are now questioning the arrested accused to establish the complete network and identify other persons involved in the alleged trafficking operations.

The investigation is focusing on both the forward and backward linkages of the networks. Police are trying to ascertain the source of the heroin and illegal weapons, the persons involved in supplying the consignments and those who were supposed to receive them.

Officials are also examining the suspected links between the foreign-based handlers and criminal networks operating locally in Punjab. The police are working to identify other members who may have been involved in the procurement, transportation and distribution of drugs and weapons.

The recoveries are expected to provide investigators with important leads in tracing the wider network. Further investigation is underway, and police said additional arrests may follow as the links in the alleged trafficking networks are established.

Hindusthan Samachar / GURSHARAN SINGH