Amritsar police bust major drug and hawala cartel linked to Nigerian national, Pakistan smugglers; 6 held
PTC Web Desk: In a significant breakthrough against drug trafficking and money laundering, Amritsar police has uncovered an international narcotics and hawala cartel involving a Nigerian national, local distributors, and links to cross-border Pakistani smugglers. Over the course of two separate investigations, the police seized a substantial quantity of narcotics, illegal arms, and hawala cash, and arrested six persons operating across Amritsar and Delhi.
Case 1: Cocaine distribution network headed by Nigerian national
FIR No. 116/25 (Dated: 09-06-2025, Cantonment Police Station)
Seizures: 112 gram of cocaine, 1 pistol (.32 bore)
Arrested accused: Collins, 42, Nigerian national residing illegally in Delhi’s Maroli area. Arrested on June 10, 2025
Originally came to India in 2023 for his son’s medical treatment and stayed on illegally.
Acted as the primary cocaine supplier in North India, coordinating via WhatsApp.
Sold cocaine for up to Rs 20,000 per gram, targeting wealthy clientele.
Ishpreet Singh alias Harsh, 21, resident of Basant Avenue, Amritsar; arrested on June 9, 2025
Akhilesh Vij, 28, resident of Basant Avenue, Amritsar. Arrested on June 10, 2025
Recovered with the illegal firearm.
Acted as a middleman, collecting or receiving drug consignments directly from Collins.
Case 2: Heroin smuggling and hawala network with Pakistan links
FIR No. 90/25 (Dated: 14-06-2025, Sadar Police Station)
Seizures: 1 kg of heroin; Rs 8.10 lakh hawala drug money
Arrested accused
. Gurpreet Singh, 27, from Dholka, Amritsar Rural. Arrested on June 17, 2025
Recovered Rs 8.10 lakh of hawala money.
Operated a meat cart; used a token system to collect and transfer hawala cash.
Managed drug money transfers to Pakistan via Dubai routes.
Ravi Kumar alias Jaggu, 28, resident of Daddupur Road, Majitha, Amritsar Rural. Arrested on June 14, 2025.
Has two prior criminal cases dating back to 2017 and 2020.
Shyam Singh alias Rahul, 21, resident of Kathu Nangal Road, Majitha, Amritsar. Arrested on June 14, 2025.
Earlier charged in 2025 under serious provisions of BNS.
Along with Ravi Kumar, allegedly picked up heroin at pre-decided locations shared by Pakistani handlers.
Investigative findings & operation details
The drug trafficking network was orchestrated via WhatsApp for internal coordination. Collins was identified as the key source of cocaine, operating from Delhi and distributing to local contacts across North India. The second network was connected to Pakistan-based smugglers, with heroin routed across the border. Money earned through narcotics was funneled through a hawala system operated by Gurpreet Singh, who transferred it to Pakistan using Dubai as an intermediary hub.
The successful busts were made under the supervision and guidance of: Gurpreet Singh Bhullar, IPS, Commissioner of Police, Amritsar, Ravinder Pal Singh, DCP (Investigation), Jagbinde Singh, ADCP (Investigation), Yadvinder Singh, ACP (Detective), Amritsar and Inspector Amolkdeep Singh, In-charge, CIA Staff-1, Amritsar.