5 days ago
Police Charge Opium-to-Canada Network Funded Guns for Punjab
Police say a group was sending opium from India to Canada in parcels disguised as food.
One parcel contained almost three kilograms of opium hidden under a false bottom.
Investigators allege that Arsh Dalla and his associates benefited from the shipments.
They say the money was used to buy guns from traffickers in Pakistan.
The guns were allegedly flown into Punjab by drones.
Police arrested several people who allegedly helped collect, package or send the drugs.
They also found more opium in other parcels.
The police have filed a long chargesheet describing the alleged network.
However, these claims still have to be tested in court, and one main accused is out on bail.
Delhi Police allege a network shipped opium from India to Canada, including a 2.998-kilogram seizure hidden in a parcel of sweets.
Police say proceeds from Canadian opium sales financed weapons bought through Pakistan and delivered to Punjab by drones.
The alleged network was linked to Arsh Dalla, founder of the Khalistan Tiger Force and a wanted gangster based in Canada.
Investigators arrested several alleged coordinators and recovered additional opium consignments weighing 921 grams, 1,196 grams and 23 grams.
Police filed a more than 500-page chargesheet, while some suspects remain unarrested and Hardeep Singh is out on bail.
- Who
- Delhi Police allege that Arsh Dalla, Hardeep Singh, Jasan Sandhu, Simranjeet Kaur, Gurjeet Singh and others were involved in the network.
- What
- An alleged cross-border operation sent opium to Canada and used the proceeds to obtain weapons for gang associates in Punjab.
- Where
- The alleged operation involved Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Canada and Pakistan, with an initial parcel intercepted at a DHL facility in Moti Nagar, West Delhi.
- When
- Police tracked the network for six months; the first seizure occurred in January, arrests followed in February and July, and the chargesheet was filed this month.
- Why
- Police allege that opium sold in Canada generated large profits that were used to fund arms trafficking and gang activity in Punjab.
Police allegations
Cautions and responses
Extent of the network
Police allegations
Police allege that the opium shipments, Canadian sales and drone-delivered weapons formed one coordinated syndicate linked to Arsh Dalla.
Cautions and responses
The allegations remain subject to court proceedings; the article reports that Hardeep Singh is out on bail, and a singer questioned by police said he knew Hardeep but did not know about the alleged drug trade.
Weapons and Pakistan link
Police allegations
Senior officials claim that proceeds were sent to arms traffickers in Pakistan and that weapons were delivered into Punjab through cross-border drone drops.
Cautions and responses
The article presents this as the police and security agencies' account and does not report an independent confirmation or a response from the alleged Pakistani traffickers.
Key facts
- Initial seizure
- 2.998 kilograms of opium concealed beneath a false bottom in a parcel of sweets.
- Destination
- The parcel was being sent from Bhatinda to Brampton, Canada.
- Alleged organizer
- Police linked the operation to Arsh Dalla, founder of the Khalistan Tiger Force.
- Additional recoveries
- Police reported recoveries of 921 grams, 1,196 grams and 23 grams of opium from later investigations.
- Reported profit margin
- Police estimated Indian procurement at about Rs 1.5 lakh per kilogram and Canadian street prices at 50 to 100 Canadian dollars per gram.
- Chargesheet
- Delhi Police filed a chargesheet exceeding 500 pages.
- Legal status
- Hardeep Singh is out on bail, while police said several people linked to weapons deliveries remain to be arrested.
Quotes
A senior police officer
Senior officer explaining the alleged financial incentive for the smuggling operation
“Opium procured within India for approximately Rs 1.5 lakh per kg, barely Rs 150 per gram, commands a price of between 50 and 100 Canadian Dollars (CAD) per gram once it reaches the streets of Canada — the equivalent, at prevailing exchange rates, of roughly Rs 3,300 to Rs 6,700 per gram. In other words, it was sold abroad for over 20 to 45 times its procurement cost”
indianexpress.com
“Upon examination, the parcel, which outwardly appeared to contain common food items and household articles, was found to have a specially fabricated false bottom beneath which 2.998 kg of opium had been ingeniously concealed”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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