Chandigarh/Sangrur, May 15, 2025
Major Breakthrough in Anti-Drugs Campaign
As part of the ongoing anti-drugs campaign ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh,’ launched on the directives of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Sangrur Police have dismantled a major drug smuggling racket operating inside Sangrur Jail. Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav announced the arrest of 19 individuals, including Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Security Gurpreet Singh and a Class-IV employee, Parshant, on May 15, 2025.
Raid Uncovers Contraband
Following credible intelligence, a raid inside Sangrur Jail led to the recovery of 12 mobile phones, 4 smartwatches, 50 grams of opium, 12 grams of heroin, and other contraband items. The investigation revealed the involvement of Parshant, a Class-IV employee, in facilitating the smuggling operations. DGP Yadav emphasized that no one, regardless of rank, will be spared if found involved in illegal activities, with further arrests expected as the probe continues.
Amritsar-Based Smuggler Arrested
The investigation extended to Amritsar, resulting in the arrest of drug smuggler Manpreet Singh, an associate of inmate Gurvinder Singh, who is lodged in Sangrur Jail. Police recovered 4 kg of heroin, ₹5.5 lakh in drug money, a 9MM Glock pistol, and two live cartridges from Manpreet’s possession, uncovering significant backward and forward linkages in the smuggling network.
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DSP’s Role in Facilitating Smuggling
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Sangrur Sartaj Singh Chahal disclosed that DSP Gurpreet Singh was actively involved in smuggling drugs and mobile phones into the jail. Investigations revealed that the DSP received ₹40,000 in cash from inmate Gurchet’s relative and ₹26,000 via UPI into his wife’s account to facilitate the delivery of 25 grams of heroin and two mobile phones. Of this, 12 grams of heroin were recovered from another inmate, Ravi, who was distributing the drugs to other inmates on Gurchet’s instructions.
Details of Arrests
A total of 19 individuals have been arrested, including DSP Gurpreet Singh, employee Parshant, smuggler Manpreet Singh, Gurchet’s mother Banto alias Banso, and 15 inmates: Gurvinder Singh, Lovejeet Singh, Sikander Singh, Pargat Singh, Sultan Singh, Aman Kumar, Ajay, Harpreet Singh (Ludhiana), Rishipal, Harpreet Singh (Dhuri), Munna, Gur Raj Singh, Raghvir Singh, Gurchet Singh, and Rajiv Kaushal alias Gaggu.
Ongoing Investigation
A case (FIR No. 75, dated April 27, 2025) has been registered at Police Station City-1 Sangrur under sections 18, 21, 29, and 27A of the NDPS Act, section 52-A of the Prisons Act, and section 25 of the Arms Act. Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act was later added. SSP Chahal stated that further investigations are underway to uncover the entire network, with more arrests and recoveries anticipated.
