ATS busts cross-border narcotics trafficking network, two arrested
Barmer, April 10 -- Rajasthan ATS and Police have busted a cross-border drug trafficking network, in which a Pakistani smuggler allegedly crossed the international border and buried methamphetamine inside Indian territory before sharing the location with local operatives, officers said on Thursday, adding that the operatives have been arrested.
The Rajasthan Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) has arrested two accused - Salman Khan, 32, and Shankar Ram, 29. Both are currently in remand until April 13, while another suspect has been detained for questioning.
According to the FIR registered at Sadar police station, the Pakistani trafficker, Masat, crossed the border fencing on April 1 and buried around 5 kg of methamphetamine nearly 150 metres inside Indian territory, between Talab Ka Paar and Banne Ki Basti posts. He then shared the location digitally with Salman Khan, who later retrieved the consignment on April 4 and recorded a video as proof, sending it back to Pakistan, ATS SP Gyanchand Yadav said. Later, Khan retrieved the consignment on April 4 and sent a video back to Pakistan as proof.
Yadav also said they have verified the location from where the Pakistani handler entered Indian territory and that inputs have been shared with BSF.
Officers said that during the interrogation, the accused allegedly confessed that the consignment was buried by the Pakistani handler and its location was shared digitally. Officers further said that they have recovered key evidence, including the video from his phone.
Officers also said the drugs were intended for supply in Gujarat, where the accused planned delivery to a contact identified as "Munna Bhai." To avoid suspicion, they were travelling in a Gujarat-registered vehicle. "This appears to be part of a larger cross-border network. We are interrogating the accused and examining links. Further arrests are likely," SP Yadav added.
The ATS has taken over the investigation and is probing cross-border coordination, digital communication, and local support systems, officers said....
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