Drug Kingpin Balwinder Singh Detained Under PITNDPS Act

Balwinder Singh, a notorious drug smuggler, was detained under the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act. This marks the first action by the Narcotics Control Bureau in Punjab aimed at dismantling jail-based drug mafia connections. Singh, with a criminal history dating back to 1992, has ties to Pakistan-based drug syndicates.

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

This marks the first such action under this act aimed at disrupting jail-based drug mafia networks in Punjab. Under the PITNDPS Act, habitual offenders can be placed under preventive detention for up to one year without bail. Following his detention, Singh will be lodged in Assam's Dibrugarh jail.

Singh, who has been actively involved in drug smuggling since 1992, has significant connections with Pakistan-based drug syndicates. He faces over 15 criminal cases, including those related to the NDPS Act and the Arms Act. The NCB, in collaboration with Punjab Police, detained him in Gurdaspur. Further investigations are underway to trace his accomplices and identify Pakistan-based drug smugglers.