Punjab: Notorious drug smuggler Billa Havelian detained, sent to Dibrugarh jail in Assam

PTC News Desk: According to a senior Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) officer on Tuesday, renowned drug smuggler Balwinder Singh was apprehended under the strict Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act.

This was the first of its kind, started by the NCB in Punjab with the intention of severing the drug mafia’s jail-based relationship in the area.

A habitual criminal may be placed in preventive custody for a year without bond under the strict Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotics, Drugs, and Psychotropic Substances (PITNDPS) Act.

The official stated that Balwinder Singh, also known as Billa Havelian, will be kept at the Dibrugarh jail in Assam.

According to the NCB officer, Billa, a resident of Havelian village in the Tarn Taran district, has been involved in drug smuggling since 1992 and has strong ties to drug syndicates in Pakistan.

He is dealing with over ten drug cases. Billa was detained from Gurdaspur in a joint operation conducted by the NCB and the Punjab Police, Punjab director general of police Gaurav Yadav said.

“Detention order u/s 3(1) Prevention of Illicit Traffic in NDPS Act (PITNDPS) is being served on the detenue, who will be lodged in Dibrugarh jail during the detention period. More than 10 cases of NDPS Act stand registered against Billa, who was presently on bail. He is involved in trans-border drug smuggling networks with Pakistani smugglers,” Yadav said in a post on X.

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