Assam: Punjab's arrested drug smuggler shifted to Dibrugarh jail

Dibrugarh: Punjab's notorious drug smuggler Balwinder Singh, alias Billa, was transferred to Assam's Dibrugarh Central Jail on Tuesday.

This is the first time a criminal has been brought to the Assam jail under the stringent Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.

Confirming the development, Dibrugarh Superintendent of Police Rakesh Reddy said Singh arrived at the jail in the evening.

"We were informed about his transfer only after he reached Dibrugarh Central Jail," Reddy stated.

Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav announced the arrest of Balwinder Singh earlier in the day.

He was apprehended in a joint operation by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) and Punjab Police under Section 3(1) of the NDPS Act.

The drug smuggler, hailing from Havelian village in Tarn Taran district, has been involved in the illicit trade since 1992 and is known for his deep connections with Pakistan-based drug syndicates, according to NCB officials. He faces over ten drug-related cases.

Balwinder Singh is the eleventh individual from Punjab to be lodged in Dibrugarh Central Jail. The jail has been in the spotlight since the transfer of Waris Punjab De chief Amritpal Singh.