Notorious Drug Smuggler Balwinder Singh Detained in Punjab

Balwinder Singh, alias Billa Havelian, was detained under the PITNDPS Act for drug smuggling activities. Notably, this constitutes the first measure taken to dismantle the jail-based drug mafia in Punjab. Billa, active since 1992, has over 10 drug cases and strong ties to Pakistan-based syndicates.

Notorious drug smuggler Balwinder Singh, known as Billa Havelian, was detained under the stringent Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (PITNDPS) Act, according to a senior Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) officer on Tuesday.

This marks the first initiative aimed at disrupting the jail-based drug mafia links in Punjab, spearheaded by the bureau. Under the PITNDPS Act, habitual offenders can be placed under preventive detention for up to one year without bail.

Billa, originally from Havelian village in Tarn Taran district, boasts deep connections with Pakistan-based drug syndicates. He faces over 10 drug-related cases and was apprehended in a joint operation by the NCB and Punjab Police from Gurdaspur. The detained individual will be housed in Assam's Dibrugarh jail.

Punjab Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav confirmed that Billa's detention order under section 3(1) of the PITNDPS Act is being processed, emphasizing his involvement in trans-border drug smuggling operations with Pakistani collaborators.