Delhi Police bust Arsh Dalla narco-terror module

The India — Delhi Police Crime Branch has busted an alleged international narco-terror module involved in cross-border opium trafficking, a drugs-for-weapons nexus, and terror financing. The investigation revealed alleged links to designated Khalistani terrorist Amandeep Singh alias Arsh Dalla. Four members of the syndicate were arrested and a total of 5.138 kg of opium was recovered from multiple export consignments and from the possession of one of the accused. The probe began on February 7 after a courier parcel destined for Canada was intercepted in Moti Nagar, Delhi, containing 2.998 kg of opium concealed beneath a false bottom. Subsequent recoveries included 921 grams from another parcel for Canada, 1.196 kg from a third consignment, and 23 grams from accused Sarabjit Singh. The arrested accused are Sarabjit Singh, Hardeep Singh Puri, Yadvinder Singh alias Jashan Sandhu, and Jivan Singh. Police said the network operated across India — Punjab, India, India — Haryana, and India — Rajasthan, using forged KYC documents, encrypted apps, and benami accounts. The investigation uncovered a drugs-for-weapons nexus, with proceeds allegedly financing Arsh Dalla's network and weapons smuggled into India — Punjab, India via drone drops. The recovered opium has an estimated international market value of approximately Rs 3.5 crore in Canada. Amandeep Singh was designated an individual terrorist under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act in January 2023 and is associated with the Khalistan Tiger Force, a banned terrorist organisation. Efforts are underway to trace absconding conspirators and dismantle the entire pipeline.