In a significant crackdown on drug trafficking, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has detained notorious drug smuggler Balwinder Singh, alias Billa Havelian, under the stringent Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotics Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (PITNDPS) Act.

This marks the first time the NCB has initiated such action in Punjab, aiming to break the jail-based drugs mafia link in the region.

Under the PITNDPS Act, Balwinder Singh can be held in preventive detention for up to one year without bail.

Singh, a resident of Havelian village in Tarn Taran district, has been active in drug smuggling since 1992 and has deep connections with Pakistan-based drug syndicates. He faces over 10 drug-related cases.

Singh was detained from Gurdaspur in a joint operation by the NCB and Punjab Police.

Punjab Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav confirmed the detention, stating that Singh will be lodged in Dibrugarh jail during the detention period. Yadav highlighted Singh’s involvement in trans-border drug smuggling networks with Pakistani smugglers.