The Chandigarh Police has claimed to have busted a foreign-backed inter-state drug syndicate and arrested three accused, including a double postgraduate in finance and a BTech graduate in Computer Science who reportedly slipped into the drug network after exam failures and a breakup. The third accused is allegedly a dreaded gangster with a history of violent crimes, including two murders and the killing of a naib-tehsildar.Police said the operation led to the seizure of heroin worth Rs 1.5 crore in the international market, along with a country-made pistol, a live cartridge, and a Swift car.Police said that on August 30, a Crime Branch team headed by ASI Bhupinder Singh, under the supervision of SP Crime Jasbir Singh, apprehended Baljit Singh alias Baba (55) from Sector 43, Chandigarh, following a tip-off. From his possession, 109.86 grams of heroin and a loaded country-made pistol were recovered.During interrogation, Baljit’s links with foreign-based smugglers and local accomplices surfaced. Acting on this, police arrested his two associates — Parvinder Pal Singh, alias Midda, (41) and Mandeep Singh, alias Mandy (32). From them, police recovered 121 grams and 25 grams of heroin, respectively. In total, 255.86 grams of heroin, a weapon, and a car were seized.Investigations revealed that Baljit was in touch with US-based smugglers Dalbir and Bhupinder through messaging apps. Deliveries were made through local peddlers, with money and consignment exchanges kept separate to avoid detection. Payments had to be confirmed before the drugs were supplied.Baljit was also closely associated with notorious narco gangster Jasmeet Singh, alias Lucky, who was arrested in the US for cross-border drug smuggling. Even after Lucky’s arrest abroad, Baljit continued the operations with Dalbir and Bhupinder, police said.Profiles of the accusedBaljit Singh: A resident of Batala, Punjab, Baljit has a long criminal history. Born in 1970 in a farmer’s family, he studied up to class VIII. In 2000, he and his father committed a double murder over a land dispute, earning a 20-year prison sentence. While on parole in 2010, he murdered Naib-Tehsildar Mintu, a key witness, and was later sentenced to life imprisonment. Even in Bathinda and Hoshiarpur jails, Baljit remained active in the drug network and came into contact with Lucky. Over the years, he has been booked in at least eight cases under charges of murder, robbery, rioting, arms violations, and NDPS offences. Despite convictions, he repeatedly secured bail and resumed criminal activities.Story continues below this adParvinder Pal Singh: A double postgraduate with MBA and MA degrees, Midda is a resident of Sector 48, Chandigarh, with roots in Muktsar. He previously worked in a finance company. His criminal past includes a rape case registered in Chandigarh in 2022. He came into contact with Baljit during earlier arrests and soon joined him in drug trafficking. Police said Midda used his professional skills to avoid raising suspicion while peddling heroin in the Tricity area.Mandeep Singh: A BTech graduate in Computer Science (2017 batch), he once worked with Jio Telecom. After quitting his job to prepare for government exams, he faced repeated failures and a breakup, which drove him into depression and drug addiction. From being a consumer, he turned into a peddler and became part of Baljit and Lucky’s network. Police said Mandy has been supplying heroin in Chandigarh, Mohali, and Panchkula for the past 18 months, using his tech skills to stay in touch with handlers abroad.“This is a major breakthrough against drug cartels operating in the Tricity. The arrested persons not only had links with US-based suppliers but also included individuals from educated and professional backgrounds who fell into the drug trade,” SP (Crime) Jasbir Singh said.The three accused are currently in police custody, and further investigation is underway to trace their wider network and financial channels, police said.