Punjab Police Arrest 22-Year-Old in Narco-Terror Money Laundering Case
In a significant development, Punjab Police have apprehended a 22-year-old man accused of facilitating drug money for a Pakistan-based narco-terror network. This arrest is a crucial step in the state's comprehensive crackdown aimed at eradicating drug trafficking and achieving a drug-free Punjab.
Details of the Arrest and Investigation
Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav disclosed on Sunday that the suspect, identified as Satnam Singh from Punnewal village in Sangrur district, had previously worked as a taxi driver. In June 2025, he traveled to Azerbaijan on a tourist visa, where he allegedly established connections with a Pakistani drug smuggler. The investigation leading to his arrest originated from the capture of Rajbir Singh, also known as 'Fauji', a former Army deserter who was nabbed near the India-Nepal border in Raxaul while attempting to flee.
Fauji is suspected of supplying heroin to a courier named Chirag, who was earlier seized with 107 grams of heroin, a 9mm pistol, and ammunition. Preliminary investigations indicate that Satnam Singh permitted the use of his bank account and UPI credentials to route proceeds from heroin sales, following instructions from the smuggler.
Network Connections and Further Implications
This network is linked to significant heroin hauls, illegal arms, and a grenade attack in Sirsa, Haryana, in November 2025. Assistant Inspector General (AIG) Deepak Pareek of the State Special Operations Cell (SSOC) in Mohali revealed that interrogations of Fauji uncovered that the smuggler reconnected with Satnam Singh after his return to India in September 2025. Commissions were paid for financial facilitation, with drug money from sales flowing into Satnam Singh's bank account before being transferred to associates, including Gurjant Singh from Tarn Taran, who has already been arrested by Haryana Police.
Authorities anticipate more arrests as the investigation progresses. Police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) at the SSOC's Mohali station under Section 21 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, Section 25(1) of the Arms Act, and Section 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
