Police in Ludhiana detained Punjabi singer Harbir Singh Sohal after seizing five kg [1] of heroin and ₹1.5 lakh [2] in cash.
The arrest highlights the intersection of the entertainment industry and international narcotics trafficking. Authorities believe the seizure is part of a larger operation to dismantle cross-border supply chains that funnel drugs into Punjab.
Officers from the Doraha police in the Ludhiana district discovered the narcotics and currency inside a Mahindra Thar vehicle belonging to Sohal [1, 2]. The investigation into the matter began March 7, 2024 [3].
Police said Sohal acted as a courier for a drug network that is operated from Australia [1]. The investigation aims to uncover the full extent of the network's reach within India, and the specific methods used to transport the substances across international borders.
Law enforcement officials said the cash found in the vehicle was linked to drug money [2]. The seizure of the vehicle and its contents marks a significant step in the ongoing efforts to curb the drug epidemic affecting the region—a challenge that has seen increased police scrutiny of high-profile individuals.
Sohal remains in custody as investigators work to identify other associates within the Australia-based syndicate [1].
“Five kg of heroin and ₹1.5 lakh in cash were seized from his Mahindra Thar”
This case underscores the persistence of international drug corridors connecting Australia and India. The use of a high-profile figure as a courier suggests a strategy by narcotics syndicates to use individuals with social influence or luxury assets to evade suspicion during transport.
