Early Times Report
SAMBA, Nov 13: In an ongoing investigation against organised criminal networks, Samba Police through a Special Investigation Team (SIT) has unearthed and substantially dismantled an inter-state narcotics and illegal arms syndicate having operational linkages in Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh.
On 22 Aug 2026, a police party during routine checking at AIIMS Naka Vijaypur, intercepted a Swift car bearing regn No. JK21J-3391, travelling from Samba towards Vijaypur. During checking, the driver was identified as Sourab Baloria R/o Tehsil Vijaypur, Samba. During search, police recovered approx 9.08 gms of heroin-like substance from his possession along with one pistol. Accordingly, a case FIR No. 146/2026 under relevant sections was registered at PS Vijaypur and investigation was taken up. Taking cognizance into the matter, SSP Samba constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by DSP HQ Samba for its further investigation.
During sustained investigation, Sourab Baloria disclosed his alleged association with the *Gataru Gang* headed by brothers Sourav Gupta and Gaurav Gupta residents of Vijaypur, District Samba. Investigation revealed that Baloria was allegedly functioning as an important logistical facilitator for the gang's activities in the Vijaypur and Samba areas.
IDENTIFICATION OF LOGISTICAL FACILITATORS AND PUNJAB-BASED ASSOCIATES
Investigation further brought to light the alleged role of *Vivek Kumar*, resident of Hanumannagar, Sitamarhi, Bihar, presently residing at Vijaypur and working at Ravi Fast Food Vijaypur. As per the material facts collected during investigation including technical traces, the premises of Ravi Fast Food was being utilised for providing temporary shelter to associates of the Gataru gang, besides facilitating certain financial transactions.
Further investigation identified the alleged involvement of Punjab-based associates, particularly:
1. *Manmohit Singh* 2. *Sahib Singh* 3. *Vikram Bhardwaj alias Vicky Star* and 4. *Jagdeep Kaur* all residents of Gopal Nagar Ajnala, distt. Amritsar. The investigation indicated that these associates allegedly facilitated the procurement, movement and supply of narcotics and illegal weapons and provided logistical/ financial support to members of the network.
During further investigation & upon technical analysis, police effected another significant recovery including *02 country-made pistols,* *05 live cartridges of 9 mm calibre* and *8.37 grams of heroin-like substance.* from accused Vivek Kumar.
Financial investigation exposes systematic money movement including transactions exceeding 1cr between Gang leaders and amongst the members.
Following sustained technical analysis coupled with HUMINT by SIT, Samba Police with the assistance of UP Police, traced and arrested accused persons namely Sourav Gupta and Gourav Gupta both S/o Om Parkash Gupta R/o Vijaypur, Samba along with their associate Rohit Baloria S/o Gopal Krishan Baloria, resident of Vijaypur from Meerut, Uttar Pradesh.
Investigation further revealed that during their period of evasion, the accused were allegedly taking shelter at the residence of *Mohd Maaz*, son of Mohd Zakir, resident of Saigang, Tehsil Sadar Bazar, District Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, who allegedly facilitated their stay & provided logistical support to this gang. Further, relevant sections of the BNS were invoked in connection with the alleged harbouring of the accused persons in this case.
Following the arrest of the above-mentioned accused persons and upon their disclosures, police party has recovered following items from the backside of AIIMS Vijaypur from Sourav Gupta , Gourav Gupta and Rohit Baloria i.e. Two Pistols, Twelve rounds of 9 mm live cartridges, One Country-made weapon, 23 gms Gunpowder, 113 Pellets, 4 pellet caps & approx *10.21 grams of heroin* was recovered from the spot.
PROBE INTO INTER-STATE AND WIDER CRIMINAL LINKAGES
Further investigation has revealed leads regarding the alleged procurement of weapons through intermediaries connected with the Punjab-Haryana-based Ghanashyampuria gang
The investigation is being pursued on multiple fronts with the objective of identifying every individual involved in the alleged criminal network and dismantling its operational and financial infrastructure. |
