NEW DELHI: A Delhi Police probe has uncovered an alleged terror-funding and drugs-for-weapons nexus linked to designated pro-Khalistan terrorist Arsh Dalla, with opium allegedly smuggled to Canada to generate funds while weapons were pushed into Punjab through cross-border drone drops, an official said.
Four members of the alleged syndicate have been arrested and 5.138 kg of opium recovered during the investigation, which began after police intercepted a courier parcel in Delhi, exposing a network spanning Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan and extending overseas.
The case dates back to February 7, when the Crime Branch received information that a courier parcel booked for Canada contained narcotics concealed beneath food and household items. Police intercepted the parcel at a courier facility in Moti Nagar and recovered nearly 3 kg of opium from a false bottom, an official said.
Instead of treating it as an isolated drug seizure, investigators traced the courier chain, examined digital devices and financial transactions and analysed technical evidence. Subsequent raids led to the interception of two more consignments—one containing 921 grams of opium and another 1.19 kg. Another 23 grams was recovered from an accused. The seized opium is estimated to be worth `3.5 crore in Canada, police said. The accused have been identified as Hardeep Singh (28), Simranjeet Singh (24), Yadvinder Singh alias Jashan Sandhu (30) and Jivan Singh (23).
Police said Hardeep coordinated the India-based module, procuring opium through GPS-based dead drops and arranging its concealment and dispatch. Yadvinder allegedly coordinated procurement and packing and acted as a link with foreign handlers, while Simranjeet handled bookings and forged KYC documents. Jivan allegedly facilitated the Rajasthan leg. Forensic examination of mobile phones, encrypted communications, banking records and technical data allegedly revealed links to Dalla and foreign-based handlers.