The Gurugram Police have achieved a significant breakthrough in breaking an international narcotics supply chain with the arrest of a key operative involved in smuggling opium to the United States. The accused, identified as Lakhbir Singh, a resident of Kot Data village in Tarn Taran, Punjab, was apprehended on Wednesday by the Sector 40 Crime Branch.
The Modus Operandi
Drones, Food Parcels, and the US Connection: Preliminary interrogation following the arrest has revealed a sophisticated smuggling network active since 2022:
Source: The gang procured narcotics from Pakistan, which were dropped into India using drones. The accused's village in Tarn Taran is located just four kilometres from the Pakistan border.
Concealment: The drugs were meticulously packed inside boxes of food items to evade detection.
Logistics: The accused would send these parcels from Punjab via DTDC, which were then routed through DHL Express to international destinations.
The Receivers: Parcels were sent to fake addresses or addressed to individuals who had migrated abroad via illegal channels (the 'donkey' or danki route).
Profit Margins: Lakhbir Singh received a commission of Rs 200,000 to Rs 500,000 per parcel. The drugs, valued at approximately Rs 450,000 in India, were sold in the US for about Rs 2.5 million (Rs 25 Lakh)—a markup of five times.
The May 2023 Seizure
The investigation dates back to May 2023, following a tip-off from the DHL Express office in Udyog Vihar, Gurugram.
The Discovery: The Haryana State Narcotics Control Board intercepted a suspicious international parcel. Upon inspection, the box contained clothes and two jars of Chyawanprash.
The Recovery: When the jars were cut open, officials discovered 842 grams of opium concealed in plastic wrapping inside the paste.
Identification: An examination of the invoice and documents linked the parcel to Lakhbir Singh.
Arrest And Legal Proceedings
Lakhbir Singh had been absconding since the incident and was declared a Proclaimed Offender by the court in February 2025. The Haryana Police had also announced a reward of Rs 5,000 for his capture.
The Operation: Using technical surveillance, the Sector 40 Crime Branch tracked and arrested him in Punjab on Wednesday.
Current Status: He was produced in court on Thursday and has been remanded to police custody for three days.
Next Steps
During the remand period, police aim to interrogate the accused to identify other gang members, map the financial trail, and uncover details regarding his contacts in Pakistan and the international distribution network.
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