In a major breakthrough under the ongoing anti-drug campaign ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh,’ launched on the directives of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Tarn Taran Police has arrested Indian-origin international drug lord Shehnaz Singh, also known as Shawn Bhinder.
The arrest was announced by Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav on Monday. Bhinder was wanted by the USA-based Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
Shawn Bhinder, a native of Mandiala village in Batala and a resident of Brampton, Canada, was a key suspect in one of the largest drug seizures in the USA on February 26, 2025. The FBI had earlier arrested six of his associates and seized 391 kg of methamphetamine, 109 kg of cocaine, four sophisticated weapons, and multiple vehicles.
The arrested individuals were identified as Amritpal Singh alias Amrit alias Bal, Amritpal Singh alias Cheema, Taqdeer Singh alias Romi, Sarabjit Singh Saabi, Fernando Valladares alias Franco, and Gurlal Singh.
DGP Gaurav Yadav stated that Shawn Bhinder was a significant figure in a global narcotics syndicate involved in smuggling cocaine from Colombia to the USA and Canada.
Following the FBI’s crackdown, Bhinder evaded authorities and managed to enter India secretly. "The Punjab Police successfully tracked and arrested him in the Ludhiana jurisdiction," said DGP Yadav.
The arrested accused was also wanted in an Arms Act case from December 2024, in which Tarn Taran Police had apprehended five members of the Jaggu Bhagwanpuria and Amritpal Batth gang. The operation led to the recovery of a significant cache of arms and ammunition.
Addressing a press conference, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Ferozepur Range Swapan Sharma, along with Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Tarn Taran Abhimanyu Rana, stated that preliminary investigations have revealed Bhinder’s role in transporting large drug consignments across international borders using trucks and trailers.
"During interrogation, it was found that Bhinder had been operating a legitimate transportation business in Canada since 2014, which he used as a front to smuggle drugs from Colombia to the USA and Canada via Mexico. Investigations further revealed that Bhinder and his accomplices were moving approximately 600 kg of cocaine from Colombia every week," added SSP Rana.
He also mentioned that Bhinder’s network is suspected to have links with notorious drug traffickers, including Amritpal Singh alias Baath and Gurjant Singh Bholu Havelia. "Further investigations are underway," SSP Rana stated.
Meanwhile, in the past four months, the Tarn Taran Police has registered 125 cases under the NDPS Act, leading to the arrest of 145 individuals and the recovery of 34 kg of heroin, 4 kg of opium, and ₹2.29 lakh in drug money. Additionally, 29 proclaimed offenders in NDPS Act cases have been apprehended during this period.