Punjab drugs racket has Chinese connection too

Chandigarh, April 1 (IANS) Having busted an international drugs racket worth millions of dollars operating from Punjab, police said Monday that there is a Chinese connection to the crime.

The drugs racket has already been linked to the UK, the Netherlands, Canada, and Afghanistan-Pakistan.

Police said five Chinese associates had visited Chandigarh in 2010 for a quality check of methamphetamine, a substance known as "Ice" in rave party circles, and pseudophedrine, which is used as raw material in the manufacture of Ice.

"The identity of the Chinese visitors has been established; further action is being taken," a police spokesman said here Monday.

No further details of the Chinese men have been disclosed so far, pending investigation.

Since the first seizure of over 28 kg heroin March 7, Punjab Police claimed to have seized huge quantities of drugs, including lifestyle drugs used in parties, from various places. Based on international prices for these drugs, police said the haul was valued at Rs.484 crore.

The Fatehgarh Sahib district police had Sunday recovered 10 kg of "Ice" and 230 kg of pseudophedrine.

The latest seizures were made from Panchkula (near Chandigarh), Patiala and Sangrur.

Police say international boxer Vijender Singh consumed heroin 12 times from December 2012 to February 2013, while his colleague Ram Singh took it five times.

About Vijender, the spokesman said: "During investigation, it was established that boxers Ram Singh and Vijender Singh took heroin from (arrested Canada-based drug dealer) Anoop Singh Kahlon and Rocky for personal consumption between December 2012 and February 2013.

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Punjab drugs racket has Chinese connection too