NARCOTICS CONTROL BUREAU, CHANDIGARH ZONAL UNIT NCB SECURES PREVENTIVE DETENTION OF NOTORIOUS DRUG TRAFFICKER SANDEEP SINGH CHATHA UNDER PITNDPS ACT Chandigarh, March 24, 2026: The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), Chandigarh Zonal Unit, has successfully secured the preventive detention of Sandeep Singh Chatha, son of Jhirmal Singh, resident of Rasulpur Rohi, Amritsar, Punjab, an infamous history-sheeter involved in multiple criminal activities related to drug trafficking. Sandeep Singh Chatha has been involved in seven criminal cases since 2013, including three cases under the NDPS Act. Despite repeated arrests, he continued to operate and expand his drug trafficking network, including cross-border operations, thereby playing a significant role in the illicit narcotics trade. In a major crackdown in 2022, the NCB Chandigarh Zonal Unit arrested Sandeep Singh Chatha in NCB Crime No. 79/2022. During the operation, two illicit laboratories were dismantled, and multiple narcotic substances were seized, including 40 kg of heroin, 0.557 kg of opium, and 23.645 kg of caffeine. In addition, 31 live cartridges and one magazine were recovered. The operation also led to the arrest of 22 members of the drug syndicate involved in the case. During the financial investigation of the case, the NCB Chandigarh Zonal Unit froze movable and immovable assets worth ₹58.6 crore, including illegally acquired properties worth ₹34.77 lakh belonging to Sandeep Singh Chatha. Further investigation revealed that Sandeep Singh Chatha is a key operative responsible for handling several high-volume heroin consignments across multiple states. His nexus with Jagdeep Singh Jaggu Bhagwanpuria, a notorious criminal involved in the supply of weapons and narcotics from Jammu & Kashmir to Punjab, Delhi, and Haryana, was also surfaced during the investigation. To ensure stringent preventive action against the drug trafficker, the NCB Chandigarh Zonal Unit strongly pursued a proposal for his preventive detention under the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (PITNDPS) Act, 1988, in September 2025. Following approval by the Central Government and issuance of the detention order, Sandeep Singh Chatha was successfully detained and served with the detention order on 07.01.2026. Subsequently, as per the prescribed procedure, the matter was placed before the Central Advisory Board (PITNDPS), New Delhi, which heard the case on 16.03.2026. After examining the case records, the Board concluded that sufficient cause existed for the continued detention of the detenu, Sandeep Singh Chatha. Based on the opinion of the Central Advisory Board, the Central Government, on 24.03.2026, confirmed the Detention Order and directed the continued detention of Sandeep Singh Chatha for a period of one year from the date of his detention, i.e., 07.01.2026.