Ludhiana: A suspected drug supply racket inside Ludhiana’s Borstal and Central jails has come to light after searches at the two prisons led to the recovery of 30 intoxicant capsules, around 170 grams of heroin and other intoxicants. Police have registered cases against six persons and arrested two, both PESCO (Punjab Ex-Servicemen Corporation) employees allegedly involved in supplying contraband inside the jails.At Borstal Jail, head warder Harjit Singh reported the recovery of 30 red-coloured intoxicant capsules from inmate Mandeep Singh during a search on Oct 3.A police source said Mandeep told investigators that undertrial Tunna Kumar had brought the capsules to him. A probe allegedly pointed to the involvement of PESCO employee Mohammad Arbaz in supplying the capsules inside the jail.Police registered a case against five persons, including Arbaz and four inmates — Mandeep, Tunna Kumar, Simran Singh and Surjit Kumar. Investigating officer Davinder Singh said Arbaz has been arrested. He added that all five accused are adults.In the Central Jail case, a complaint by assistant superintendent Jaswinder Singh led to the registration of a case at division number 7 police station.According to the complaint, a search on Oct 3 resulted in the recovery of 170 grams of heroin, 16 grams of zarda (flavoured chewing tobacco) and 12.5 grams of a white-coloured “intoxicant”.Police allege that PESCO employee Preetpal Singh brought the contraband into the jail and supplied it while on duty. A case was registered against Preetpal, a resident of Sheikhpur Khudal village in Mansa district, under the NDPS Act and Punjab Prisons and Correctional Services Act.Investigating officer ASI Dinesh Sharma said the accused has been arrested.Police sources said they are now probing the wider supply chain, if any, including who the drugs were allegedly meant for and who was facilitating their entry into the prisons.Box: Who Borstal Jail meant for?Ludhiana’s Borstal Jail is a specialised prison for young male offenders, including undertrials, largely in the 18-21 age group.Box: What was seized?Jail | RecoveryBorstal Jail | 30 red-coloured intoxicant capsulesCentral Jail | 170g heroin, 16g Zarda, 12.5g white-coloured “intoxicant”A recurring problemJan 2024: Two assistant superintendents arrested in a drug and mobile-phone smuggling racket; several inmates and a woman accused of supplying contraband also booked.Mar 2025: Labourer working on AI camera installation booked for allegedly supplying tobacco to an inmate; 250g seized.July 2025: IRB constable allegedly caught sneaking tobacco into Central Jail; 30g and 14 sachets seized.Oct 2025: Assistant jail superintendent arrested after 205g of narcotics allegedly concealed inside an LED TV was intercepted.Feb 2026: PESCO employee arrested in an alleged “throw-and-bury” racket involving intoxicating powder, phones and 1.4kg tobacco.June 2026: Visitor caught allegedly trying to take 8g of suspected narcotic powder into Central Jail.
