New Delhi, August 23, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Delhi Police Crime Branch has busted an alleged international narco-terror network involved in smuggling opium to overseas markets and arrested four persons in a probe that has uncovered a suspected drugs-for-weapons nexus and terror financing network allegedly linked to designated Khalistani terrorist Arshdeep Singh Gill alias Arsh Dalla, officials said on Sunday.
The investigation by the AGS/Crime Branch, Dwarka, began on February 7 after police received information that a courier parcel booked in New Delhi for Canada contained narcotics concealed beneath food and household items.
A team intercepted the parcel at a courier company’s premises in Moti Nagar and recovered 2.998 kg of opium hidden beneath a specially fabricated false bottom. Police said the concealment was designed to evade security screening and customs checks. A case was registered under Sections 18/23 of the NDPS Act.
Investigators subsequently traced the courier chain, examined digital devices and financial transactions and followed technical leads. Raids in Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan led to further seizures, including 921 grams of opium from another Canada-bound parcel, 1,196 grams from a third export consignment and 23 grams from accused Simranjeet Singh.
The total recovery stood at 5.138 kg of opium, with an estimated international market value of around Rs 3.5 crore in Canada, according to the Crime Branch.
The four arrested accused have been identified as Simranjeet Singh, 24, of Bathinda in Punjab; Hardeep Singh, 28, of Barnala in Punjab; Yadvinder Singh alias Jashan Sandhu, 30, of Sirsa in Haryana; and Jivan Singh, 23, of Balotra in Rajasthan.
According to police, interrogation, forensic examination of mobile phones and analysis of encrypted communications revealed an interstate network with separate modules handling procurement, concealment, transportation, packing and international dispatch of narcotics.
The Crime Branch alleged that the network was linked to Arsh Dalla, who is operating from abroad, and that the opium was intended for his network overseas. Police alleged that proceeds from the sale of drugs were used to support criminal activities and were partly channelled to foreign-based handlers.
In return, weapons were allegedly smuggled into India through cross-border drone drops in Punjab’s border areas for gang members and associates of the Arsh Dalla network, leading investigators to describe the arrangement as a suspected “drugs-for-weapons” pipeline.
Police said opium purchased in India for around Rs 1.5 lakh per kg could fetch between 50 and 100 Canadian dollars per gram in Canada. At prevailing exchange rates, this translated to roughly Rs 3,300-Rs 6,700 per gram, potentially generating profits of more than 20 to 40 times the procurement cost, according to the Crime Branch.
Investigators also alleged that the syndicate used GPS coordinates shared through encrypted applications to locate drug consignments, while narcotics were concealed in silver-foil false bottoms inside cartons carrying ordinary food items and, in some cases, garments.
Police said forged or unauthorised KYC documents and fictitious consignor details were allegedly used to book parcels in the names of unsuspecting individuals. Communications were carried out through encrypted and internet-based platforms, including Canadian WhatsApp numbers and Signal.
The financial probe allegedly found that proceeds, rewards and operational expenses were routed through proxy and benami bank accounts and UPI channels belonging to relatives and associates. Certified banking records, along with call and internet data records, were examined to establish the alleged communication and financial links.
The Crime Branch said the investigation is continuing against absconding suspects, including Arsh Dalla, his alleged handlers and associates operating in Punjab.
Police said the operation not only prevented a commercial quantity of narcotics from reaching the international market but also exposed an alleged network through which drug proceeds were being used for terror financing and cross-border arms infiltration.
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