Arrested drug kingpin reveals cross-border link
Investigation revealed that Mattu procured both the heroin and Glock pistol from Ashu, who is currently lodged in Faridkot jail. One of the country-made pistols recovered from him was brought through a Ludhiana jail inmate, Vikramjit Singh. According to Mattu, Ashu smuggled the heroin and pistol from Pakistan. City police have nominated both Ashu and Vikramjit in the case and will bring them on production warrant for questioning soon.
Mukul Mattu was wanted by the police for threatening Dharampura resident Deepak for giving information on drug peddlers at the Safe Punjab helpline. The said drug peddlers contacted Mattu, who is involved in drug smuggling himself. On August 12, Mattu and his aides turned up outside Deepak's house and brandished a gun to threaten him and his family. Police lodged an FIR in the case and arrested Mattu, who is facing about eight FIRs.
Ludhiana crime branch in-charge, inspector Beant Juneja said, "During interrogation, Mukul revealed that in 2022-23, he was lodged in Ludhiana Central Jail, where Ashu was also lodged. He said that Ashu, who he became friends with, has links with cross-border smugglers. It was Ashu who delivered the 1kg heroin and 9mm Glock pistol with 7 cartridges, which police recovered, to him. Ashu is currently lodged in Faridkot Jail.
He has been nominated in the FIR and will be brought on a production warrant for questioning."
The official added that the Glock pistol recovered from Mukul is made in Austria.
"Mukul confessed that he also brought the two .30 bore pistols recovered from him through a Ludhiana jail inmate named Vikramjit Singh," inspector Juneja added.
Another senior official shared, "During interrogation, Mukul claimed that Faridkot jail inmate Ashu has links with cross-border smugglers.
He said that Pakistan-based smugglers gifted a Glock pistol to Ashu for purchase of 1kg heroin. Mukul paid Ashu Rs 2.7 lakh for the Glock pistol. He paid about Rs 15 lakh for 1kg of heroin. Ashu sent his aide to Ludhiana to deliver the consignment about one and a half months ago. Police will verify Mukul's claims once Ashu comes on production warrant.
"
The criminal nexus
Seizure details
--1kg heroin, a 9mm Glock pistol (made in Austria), 2 country-made pistols, and 21 live cartridges recovered from Mukul Mattu
Jail connection
--Ashu, lodged in Faridkot Jail, allegedly smuggled the heroin and Glock pistol from Pakistan
--Vikramjit Singh, an inmate in Ludhiana Jail, helped supply one of the country-made pistols
Cross-border smuggling
--Mukul claimed Ashu has links with Pakistan-based smugglers
--The Glock pistol was allegedly gifted by Pakistani smugglers to Ashu for heroin trade
Financial transactions
--Mukul paid Rs 2.7 lakh for the Glock pistol and Rs 15 lakh for 1kg heroin
Threat Case
Mukul threatened Deepak, a resident of Dharampura, for reporting drug peddlers via the Safe Punjab helpline.
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