Punjab Police identifies 32 NRI smugglers
Monday, 18/11/2013
http://www.tribuneindia.com/2013/20131118/main3.htm
Patiala : Days after the arrest of dismissed Punjab Police DSP Jagdish Singh Bhola in the multimillion drug smuggling racket, the Patiala police has identified over 30 non-resident Indians (NRIs), who acted as active and passive couriers for him. The police is planning to take the Interpol’s help to nab these suspects.
Arrested industrialist Jagjit Singh Chahal’s pharma unit in Baddi Investigations reveal that Bhola and his associates to date have smuggled drugs worth over Rs 5,000 crore.
Police sources said 32 NRIs, actively involved with Bhola and his close aides, have been identified along with their current addresses.
“Bhola had hired the services of NRI from Vietnam and China (many of whom are settled abroad and specialise in drug trade and traffic). The gang ensured an air-tight packing for drugs and used special wraps to dodge sniffer dogs and X-ray scanners at airports.
“We have many names. Many of these NRIs are regular visitors to India. During their stay, they often do philanthropic activities and sponsor sports fairs and kabaddi tournaments in their villages,” said sources.
“The accused would be arrested soon. Many of them have gone underground, but we will nab them. The Interpol’s help would also be sought,” said Patiala SSP Hardyal Mann. Mann said the interrogation of those arrested has revealed how drugs worth crores were manufactured in Baddi-based units and later smuggled in a planned manner across the globe.
“The Narcotics Control Bureau had also zeroed in on a rice sheller in Fatehgarh Sahib’s Jhampur village which was used for making drugs, in addition to a unit in Patiala. We are trying to get more details,” he said.
Apart from Bhola, 6 other persons have arrested in the case. “Two of the accused have bought many disputed properties in Amritsar, owing to their political links,” said a senior police officer.
Can’t blame SAD, says Badal
Sultanpur Lodhi: Punjab CM Parkash Singh Badal has said the SAD cannot be blamed for the misdeeds of any individual associated with the party. But bringing such anti-social elements, howsoever powerful he may be, to book was the state government’s duty, he said.
Aulakh’s drug roots
Bittu Aulakh visited Pakistan in 2004 for watching an Indo-Pak cricket match. “Aulakh’s father Partap Singh faced cases of gold smuggling under the Opium Act. He was also a close relative of notorious smuggler Paramjit Pamma Madoke”, said the Patiala SSP.
Made in Baddi, sold across globe
The interrogation of those arrested has revealed how drugs worth crores were manufactured in Baddi-based units and later smuggled to various destinations across the globe
Bhola had hired the services of NRIs from Vietnam and China (many of whom are settled abroad and specialise in drug trade and traffic)
The gand used special packing to dodge detection at airports.
