The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) in Chandigarh has arrested Jagseer Singh, known professionally as Baj Sarn, in connection with a decade-old case involving the smuggling of 36.150 kilograms of opium. The arrest, reported around August 7, 2025, ended nearly 10 years on the run for the Punjabi singer, who used aliases and moved frequently to evade authorities. The NCB had offered a ₹50,000 reward for information leading to his capture, publicly releasing his details in May 2025 after years of silence. This major bust underscores the agency’s renewed focus on high-profile drug traffickers hiding in plain sight — even among celebrities.
A Decade on the Run
Baj Sarn, originally from Malikpura village in Haryana’s Sirsa district, vanished after police linked him to the 2015 opium haul — one of the largest in North India at the time. Unlike typical fugitives who flee to remote areas, he blended into the Punjabi music scene, performing at weddings and cultural events under different names. Investigators say he changed his appearance, used forged documents, and even relocated across multiple states, including Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. His ability to remain hidden for so long baffled even seasoned NCB officers. "He wasn’t just running — he was reinventing himself," said a senior NCB official, speaking on condition of anonymity. "We had his voice recordings, his face from CCTV, but no consistent address. It was like chasing a ghost."
The Tip-Off That Broke the Case
The breakthrough came in early May 2025, when a tipster recognized Baj Sarn performing at a small wedding in Ludhiana. The informant, who had previously lost a relative to drug abuse, contacted the NCB anonymously. Within days, surveillance teams confirmed his identity through facial recognition software and voice-matching algorithms. He was apprehended near the Punjab-Haryana border on August 7, 2025, as he attempted to cross into Punjab under a new alias. Authorities seized his phone, laptop, and a handwritten ledger detailing payments to middlemen across three states. The ledger, now part of the evidence, lists dates, locations, and amounts — including a ₹2.3 million payment to a courier in Amritsar in March 2015, just weeks before the opium was intercepted.
Parallel Crackdown: The Heroin Connection
Just months after Baj Sarn’s arrest, Punjab Police made another major bust — this time targeting Sandeep Singh, alias "Seema", a suspected drug kingpin from Shanna Sher Singh Wala village in Kapurthala. On November 22, 2025, the Anti-Narcotics Task Force arrested him with 50 kilograms of heroin hidden in a false compartment of his truck. Police say Seema had ties to ISI-backed networks in Pakistan and had recently been released on bail after serving time in five separate drug cases. "He’s not a small-time operator," said Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav. "This is transnational trafficking. One kilo of heroin on the international market now fetches ₹5 crore. Fifty kilos? That’s ₹250 crore. This isn’t just crime — it’s funding terrorism."
Why This Matters Beyond the Numbers
The scale of these operations reveals a disturbing trend: drug cartels are increasingly using cultural figures as fronts. Baj Sarn’s fame gave him cover — fans didn’t suspect the man singing romantic ballads was the same one moving tons of narcotics across borders. Meanwhile, Seema’s case points to a chilling evolution: drugs are no longer just a public health crisis. They’re becoming strategic weapons. Pakistan’s ISI has long been accused of using drug money to finance cross-border operations, and these arrests suggest the pipeline is still very much active.
What Happens Next?
The NCB has filed charges under the NDPS Act, and Baj Sarn is now in judicial custody in Chandigarh. Prosecutors are building a case that could lead to life imprisonment. They’re also investigating whether he collaborated with other artists or music producers to launder money through concert ticket sales and digital streaming platforms. Meanwhile, Punjab Police are tracing Seema’s network — including his alleged handlers in Lahore and Karachi. Interpol has been notified, and extradition requests are being prepared.
A Legacy of Silence and Sound
Baj Sarn’s music once filled Punjab’s streets — songs about love, loss, and rural pride. Now, those same songs play in courtrooms as evidence of his double life. His arrest has sparked debate: should artists be held accountable for the worlds they move in, even if they never directly sell drugs? Some fans still defend him, calling the charges politically motivated. Others, especially those who’ve lost loved ones to addiction, see it as long-overdue justice. "He sold dreams on stage," said 68-year-old Harpreet Kaur from Jalandhar. "But he sold death in the shadows."
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Baj Sarn manage to evade capture for nearly 10 years?
Baj Sarn used his celebrity status as camouflage, performing under different names at rural weddings and festivals. He frequently changed his appearance, used forged identity documents, and moved between states. Authorities had his voice and image but lacked consistent location data until a tipster recognized him at a 2025 wedding in Ludhiana, triggering a facial recognition match.
What’s the significance of the 36.150 kg of opium in this case?
That amount — roughly the weight of three adult elephants — was one of the largest single opium seizures in North India in the early 2010s. At today’s black-market rates, it would be worth over ₹1.2 billion. The fact that it was never traced back to its source until now highlights how porous the border regions were during that period.
Is there a link between Baj Sarn and Sandeep Singh (Seema)?
No direct link has been established yet, but investigators are examining whether both operated within the same smuggling corridor. Both cases involve Punjab-Haryana borders and use similar courier networks. The NCB is analyzing communication patterns between known associates of both men to uncover potential overlaps.
Why did NCB offer a ₹50,000 reward for Baj Sarn’s arrest?
The reward was part of a broader public awareness campaign launched in May 2025 after years of stalled progress. With Baj Sarn’s identity obscured, authorities hoped community vigilance — especially among fans and local event organizers — would generate leads. It worked: the tip came from someone who’d lost a son to heroin overdose.
How does this affect India’s fight against drug trafficking?
These arrests signal a shift from reactive policing to intelligence-led operations. Using digital tools like facial recognition and financial trail analysis, agencies are now targeting high-value fugitives who once felt untouchable. But they also expose systemic gaps — how easily cultural figures can be exploited as fronts, and how under-resourced border checkpoints remain.
What’s the international dimension of these cases?
Sandeep Singh’s alleged ties to ISI-backed groups suggest drug trafficking is being used to fund destabilizing activities. The 50 kg of heroin he was carrying could fuel addiction across northern India for months. Meanwhile, opium from Afghanistan still flows through Pakistan into Punjab — and Baj Sarn’s case shows how local networks integrate into that global pipeline.
Written by Aarav Srinivasan
I'm Aarav Srinivasan, an expert in information services, media, and public relations. I have a passion for connecting with people and sharing stories that matter. My interests lie in exploring Indian life, culture, and news, which I write about extensively. I strive to bring attention to the diverse perspectives and experiences of the Indian community. My mission is to create meaningful connections through the power of storytelling and media.
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