Bishnoi was previously housed in Delhi’s Tihar Jail but was subsequently handed over to the Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) in April this year. His arrest was linked to alleged drug smuggling activities with connections to Pakistan.
On September 14 last year, the Gujarat ATS, working in collaboration with the Indian Coast Guard, intercepted a Pakistani fishing vessel named ‘Al Tayyasa’ near the Jakhau harbour in Kutch district. The operation led to the recovery of 40 kg heroin valued at nearly Rs 195 crore.
The operation also led to the arrest of six Pakistani nationals who were on board the intercepted vessel. The investigation uncovered a larger nexus involving smuggling of narcotics from Pakistan to India, with the seized heroin intended for distribution in Delhi and Punjab.
Further investigation revealed the involvement of two Delhi residents who were supposed to receive the contraband. They were promptly apprehended by the authorities. It was found that the drug trafficking network was orchestrated by two traffickers, including a Nigerian national, who were already incarcerated in Punjab’s jails.
The Gujarat Police also unveiled the role of Bharat Bhushan, also known as Bhola Shooter, a member of the Lawrence Bishnoi gang, in the Morbi drugs seizure of 2021. Bhushan, who recently died in prison, was allegedly operating the drugs network from within Punjab’s jail premises.
–IANS
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