Punjab Police Bust Two Arms, Drug Networks, Four Arrested, M16 Rifle Seized

Punjab Police has dismantled two alleged illegal arms and narcotics supply networks in Amritsar and arrested four people, recovering an M16 rifle, nine pistols and 15 kg of opium, a senior police officer said on Saturday.

The operation was carried out by Amritsar Rural Police, which also seized 25 cartridges from the accused, Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav said in a post on X.

According to the police, preliminary investigations have indicated that the accused were allegedly linked to foreign-based smugglers and involved in procuring illegal weapons. The recovery of the sophisticated M16 rifle, along with nine pistols and ammunition, points to the suspected involvement of the accused in an illegal weapons supply network, while the seizure of opium has also brought a narcotics angle into the investigation.

However, the police have not disclosed the identities of the arrested individuals or provided details about the alleged foreign-based handlers and the origins of the seized weapons and contraband.

Separate FIRs have been registered at Gharinda and Lopoke police stations in Amritsar in connection with the cases, the DGP said. Police teams are now investigating the suspected networks to establish their complete backward and forward linkages. The probe is aimed at identifying the alleged suppliers, recipients and other individuals who may have been involved in the illegal activities.

The investigation will also seek to establish how the weapons and narcotics were procured and distributed, officials indicated. Punjab Police has been conducting operations against illegal arms trafficking and drug smuggling, with investigators focusing on supply chains and possible links extending beyond the state.

Further details about the arrests, the specific roles of the accused and the possible involvement of additional suspects are awaited as the investigation progresses. The police have not yet disclosed whether the recovered weapons were intended for any specific criminal activity or whether the accused were part of a larger organised network.

The investigation is continuing to establish the full extent of the alleged operations.