Canadian trucker busted in Punjab for allegedly transporting $24 million worth of heroin

Punjab police officials show off a massive bust of heroin and weapons in this April 2012 file photo. On Thursday, the department announced they had arrested an Indo-Canadian man and his associate after the pair were allegedly caught transporting 26 kilograms of heroin worth an approximate $24 million. Narinder Nanu/AFP/Getty Images

VANCOUVER DESI/IANS

Chandigarh, March 7 (IANS) Punjab police said they had busted an international drug ring with the arrests Thursday ofa Canada-based Indian man and an accomplice allegedly transporting 26 kilograms of heroin in the state’s Fatehgarh Sahib district.

Senior officers estimated the heroin was worth $24 million in the international market.

Fatehgarh Sahib district police chief H.S. Mann identified the men as Anoop Singh Kahlon, the alleged kingpin of the operation, and associate Kulwinder Singh.

Mann said the pair are suspected of smuggling drugs to various countries in Europe and North America. They were arrested following a tip-off.

Police also recovered $16,000 worth of rupees, $9,045 Canadian dollars, an Innova MUV and other foreign currency from Kahlon. The total currency was worth about $26,000, Mann added.

Police also recovered several weapons from their possession.

Mann said that Kahlon has been residing in Canada with his family since 1995. Working as a truck driver, Kahlon had developed a strong network of drug trading not only in the U.S. and Canada but in several European countries. He often came to India.

IANS 2013-03-07 23:54:03

Tags: Canada, Heroin, NRI, Punjan