Jaipur, April 8: In a significant operation, the Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) and Barmer Police have arrested two smugglers, Salman Khan and Shankar Ram, who revealed a secret international drug smuggling network linked to Pakistan.
During interrogation, the main accused, Salman Khan, disclosed that he had been in contact with a Pakistani handler named Masad from the village of Nimla for the past six months. This connection was facilitated by Rahim Khan, a relative of the handler, who resides in Salman’s village.
Exploiting Salman’s financial difficulties, the Pakistani handler lured him into drug trafficking by promising substantial monetary rewards and instructing him on the ‘dead drop’ method of leaving and picking up contraband at designated locations.
According to Dinesh M.N., ADG (Crime) of Rajasthan, the entire operation was conducted digitally and through GPS locations. The Pakistani handler communicated via WhatsApp calls, sending GPS coordinates to Salman, directing him to remote areas often near the border or secluded spots under khejri trees, where he would retrieve packets of drugs buried underground.
The payment methods were similarly clandestine, with funds either deposited into bank accounts or hidden underground, with locations sent to Salman later. During questioning, Salman admitted to retrieving five packets of drugs from a location approximately 250 meters from the border on April 4, which were buried in yellow plastic bags. He also confessed to previously delivering another packet that had been buried months earlier, for which he received a significant reward in cash hidden at a different location.
Investigations indicate that this network has been operational for several years, with similar smuggling activities reported in border villages of Barmer 5-6 years ago. The operation was highly secretive, with participants unaware of each other’s identities, and all communications, including chats and locations, were deleted after each transaction.
Currently, the police are examining Salman’s mobile data, WhatsApp chats, and financial transactions. The search for Rahim Khan is ongoing, and efforts are being made to dismantle the entire network. ADG Dinesh M.N. also noted that this network was involved not only in drug trafficking but also in smuggling explosives and illegal weapons.
Following these revelations, the Rajasthan ATS, Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF), Barmer Police, and various intelligence agencies have been put on high alert. Joint teams have conducted multiple raids in Barmer district, detaining several suspects for questioning. Agencies are also searching for locations where weapons or explosives might be hidden.
Based on mobile data and digital information, further arrests and significant disclosures are expected in the coming days.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.
