“We successfully tracked and arrested him"
Punjab Police arrested international drug lord Shehnaz Singh, also known as Shawn Bhinder, on March 10, 2025.
Bhinder, who has been on the run for years, is wanted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) for his role in a global narcotics syndicate.
He is accused of smuggling cocaine from Colombia into the United States and Canada.
Bhinder, originally from Batala, Punjab, had been living in Brampton, Canada, with his family since 2014.
His arrest follows a major operation by the FBI.
On February 26, agents seized a large quantity of drugs and firearms.
Among the items recovered were 391 kg of methamphetamine, 109 kg of cocaine, and four firearms, all linked to Bhinder’s network.
The FBI’s crackdown led to the arrest of six individuals, including Amritpal Singh, Taqdeer Singh, Sarabjit Singh Saabi, Fernando Valladares and Gurlal Singh.
While Bhinder was living in Canada at the time, he managed to evade capture.
In a covert move, Bhinder returned to India in March, where he was eventually apprehended.
Director General of Police, Punjab, Gaurav Yadav, confirmed Shawn Bhinder’s pivotal role in the international narcotics trade.
He said: “We successfully tracked and arrested him from the jurisdiction of Ludhiana.
“He was also wanted in an Arms Act case registered in December 2024, wherein Tarn Taran Police had arrested five members of the notorious Jaggu Bhagwanpuria and Amritpal Batth Gang leading to the recovery of significant arms and ammunition.
Deputy Inspector General of Police Swapan Sharma and Senior Superintendent of Police Abhimanyu Rana shared more details about Bhinder’s operations.
Rana, who has been tracking Shawn Bhinder since December 2024, explained that the criminal played a critical role in smuggling large consignments of cocaine from Colombia.
He said: “The investigations revealed that Bhinder along with his accomplices were transporting approximately 600 kg of cocaine from Colombia every week.”
Bhinder’s network allegedly maintained ties with other notorious traffickers, including Amritpal Singh and Gurjant Singh Bholu Havelia.
Rana added: “Further investigations are on.”
Bhinder is also linked to the murder of a sarpanch in 2024, where he allegedly supplied shooters.
Over the last four months, the Tarn Taran police have taken decisive action, registering 125 cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.
They have arrested 145 individuals, recovered 34kg of heroin, 4kg of opium, and seized £2,000 in drug money.
Moreover, 29 proclaimed offenders in NDPS cases have been apprehended during this period.
This operation highlights the ongoing efforts by local and international authorities to disrupt transnational drug trafficking and organised crime.
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