Ludhiana: The Khanna police are collaborating with the Overseas Fugitive Tracking and Extradition Cell (OFTEC) to track and arrest Australia-based handler Gurjant Singh Janta, identified as the mastermind behind a major drug trafficking network. This international investigation follows the recent arrest of Punjabi singer Harveer Singh, alias Harbeer Sohal (29) of Bhindi Saida village in Amritsar, from whom police seized over 5.1 kilograms of heroin, Rs 1.5 lakh in drug money, and a Mahindra Thar on May 23.A look out circular has already been issued against Gurjant, a native of Sohavi in Fatehgarh Sahib. Investigators stated that Gurjant coordinated the cross-border consignment delivery to Harbeer before the singer’s arrest. OFTEC, led by an inspector general (IG) rank officer, is currently handling the legal frameworks for Gurjant’s extradition and deportation.The mastermind’s criminal historyGurjant carries a heavy criminal profile across multiple states. His record includes a February 2022 Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act case registered at the Sohana police station, alongside several cases under the Arms Act, Indian Penal Code (IPC), and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) across Mohali, Panchkula, Jagatpur, and Anand Vihar in Delhi. Intelligence sources also noted that Gurjant’s cousin, Jasprit Singh (alias Jassi Kharar), and gangster Jaipal Bhullar were shot dead during a police operation in Kolkata in June 2021.The ongoing crackdown has led to the arrest of four local accomplices. One of the accused, 25-year-old Vishal of Shimlapuri, who was initially detained on March 9 this year, was brought in on a production warrant from jail. Following his interrogation disclosures, police successfully recovered a .30 bore pistol.The May 25 CrackdownKhanna police busted this interconnected trafficking ring on May 25, arresting four local suspects and nominating two overseas handlers. The complete haul from the network includes 5.6 kilograms of heroin, 10 grams of ICE, 30 cartridges, and Rs 1,60,750 in drug money. Those arrested included Akshay Kumar (22), Vishal (25), and Sanjeev Kumar (35), all residents of Shimlapuri, alongside singer Harveer Singh (29) of Amritsar Rural.
