Police unearth sophisticated drug network to European markets

A day after an Arjuna awardee and his four aides were arrested for their alleged involvement in a synthetic drug racket, Punjab Police today claimed to have unearthed an "intricate and sophisticated network of supply of synthetic drugs to markets in Europe, Canada and the UK".
During interrogation, the accused told the investigators that the drugs used to be transported from India to foreign countries primarily through air cargo, but human couriers were also used at times, Patiala SSP Hardyal Singh Mann said today.
"They camouflaged air cargo by using innovative techniques like hiding the contraband in the heels of footwear, books, false cavities in containers, ladies suits, condiment and food product boxes, and even in picture frames of religious personalities," the SSP said.

Arjuna awardee Jagdish Singh alias Bhola and his four associates -- Sarabjit Singh alias Saba, Harpreet Singh alias Happy, Baljinder Singh and Ravinder Singh -- were arrested yesterday from a dhaba on GT Road near Haryana's Murthal, about 50 km from New Delhi.
The SSP claimed that Bhola had been in constant touch with suspected NRI drug dealer Anoop Singh Kahlon, who was arrested earlier this year. Even boxer Vijender Singh's name cropped up in connection with the drug racket, but later on he was given a clean chit, he added.
"The network operated in a sophisticated manner using cut-outs, different persons for packing and packaging, transportation, receiving and distributing the consignment of contrabands. Among other modus operandi, sports clubs based in Canada and Europe were used for distribution of contraband consignments," the SSP claimed.

During the interrogation, the "involvement of Chinese, Vietnamese" and other foreign nationals also came to the light, he said.