Amritsar: Amritsar Rural Police have busted two alleged illegal arms and narcotics supply networks, arrested four persons and recovered 15kg of opium, an M16 rifle, 9 illegal pistols and 25 live cartridges.
Inspector General of Police, Border Range, Gurpreet Singh Bhullar informed on Satuarday taht the preliminary investigations indicated that the accused were allegedly linked to foreign-based smugglers and involved in procuring illegal weapons.
Separate FIRs have been registered at Gharinda and Lopoke police stations. Police are investigating the cases to establish the source of the weapons and narcotics, trace their intended recipients and identify other persons involved in the alleged networks.
Senior Superintendent of Police, Amritsar Rural, Kanwalpreet Singh Chahal, said further investigation was underway to establish the backward and forward linkages of the accused and determine the extent of their alleged involvement in illegal arms trafficking and narcotics supply.
The recoveries include one sophisticated M16 rifle, nine pistols and 25 live cartridges, besides 15kg of opium. Police are examining whether the two networks had links with a wider organised smuggling network operating with the involvement of foreign-based handlers.
The arrests come amid continued police efforts to curb the circulation of illegal weapons and narcotics in the border district. Investigators are working to identify suppliers, intermediaries and potential recipients as part of the probe.
Police said further details would emerge as the investigation progresses.