The Chandigarh zonal unit of the Narcotics Control Bureau has busted an international drug syndicate operating from Ludhiana and arrested 16 people, including two Afghanistan nationals and seizure of about 60 kgs of contraband and some ammunition, a senior official said on Monday.

The NCB official said in Mohali that the action against the syndicate smuggling heroin began on November 15 last year with seizure of the contraband and arrest of a person. The syndicate was busted in a period of about 1.5 months and it has links with the Shaheen Bagh (Delhi) and Muzaffarnagar (Uttar Pradesh) drug busts unearthed by the agency last year, NCB deputy director general (northern region) Gyaneshwar Singh said in a statement.

He said the probe in the latest case began in mid-November after the Chandigarh zonal bureau of the federal anti-narcotics agency busted two illegal heroin processing laboratories located in Ludhiana, being run by two Afghan chemists. "This international drug syndicate is spread across countries like Afghanistan, Pakistan etc. and different states of India," he said.

"More than 60 bank accounts linked to this Ludhiana group have been frozen under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act till now," Mr Singh said. During investigations, the NCB busted two heroin processing laboratories in Ludhiana which were being operated by Afghan nationals, who have been arrested.

"A special investigation team under Amanjit Singh, Zonal Director, NCB-Chandigarh, has been formed and includes investigating officers from various NCB zones as this international drug syndicate is spread across various countries like Afghanistan, Pakistan, etc. and different states across India," he said.

Mr Singh said business conducted by some night clubs and restaurants, being operated by the accused in Punjab, are under the scanner of the NCB. "Also, various other front businesses of this international drug syndicate like liquor vends, rice mill, ghee business and different agencies of reputed brands and role of their associates are being inquired into," Mr Singh said.

The agency, in April 2022, had seized about 50 kgs of heroin from south Delhi's Shaheen Bagh and arrested about half-a-dozen people as part of busting an India-Afghan drugs syndicate. The agency has so far seized 34.66 kg of heroin, 5.47 kg of morphine, 0.557 kg of opium, 23.64 kg suspected narcotics powder in connection with the case. 

Image source: The Hindu