Chandigarh, Sept. 3 -- In a major breakthrough against drug trafficking, the Chandigarh Police crime branch has dismantled a major US-based inter-state drug trafficking syndicate, arresting three men, including a notorious gangster with a history of heinous crimes. Authorities recovered a commercial quantity of heroin valued at Rs.1.5 crore, a weapon, and a car from their possession.

The operation began on August 30 when a crime branch team, acting on a tip-off, apprehended Baljit Singh alias Baba, 55,, a resident of Batala, from Sector 43. Police seized 109.86 grams of heroin, a country-made pistol, and a live cartridge from him.

Based on his interrogation, two of his associates were also arrested. Parvinder Pal Singh alias Midda, 41, ...