"One of the accused Abdul Karim's maternal uncle Mehardeen lives in Amarkot in Pakistan and has links with drug smugglers in Afghanistan. Karim is also suspected to have direct links with smugglers in Afghanistan. The drug was smuggled from across the border to Barmer," DGP Manoj Bhatt said today.
The five peddlers were arrested yesterday with 9 kg heroin, worth Rs 45 crore in the international market, from different places in Jaisalmer and Barmer districts, which share border with Pakistan.
Karim and Aarab Khan were caught in a joint operation by ATS, Jaisalmer and Barmer police while they were carrying 3 kg heroin in bottles.
ATS SP Dr Vishnu Kant said that it was first time that the drug was being smuggled hidden in bottles.