Saptrishi Soni
In a significant step in Punjab’s ongoing campaign against drug trafficking, the Commissionerate Police Ludhiana on Wednesday destroyed a large quantity of seized narcotics in one of the biggest single-day disposals of contraband this year. The exercise forms part of the state’s intensified anti-drug drive, which has been a key priority of the Bhagwant Mann government amid growing concerns over substance abuse and organised narcotics networks in Punjab.
According to the police, contraband linked to 50 cases registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act was legally incinerated following due judicial procedures. The destroyed material included approximately 11 kilograms of heroin, 212 kilograms of poppy husk, 91 kilograms of cannabis (ganja), and nearly two lakh banned intoxicant tablets.
Officials said the destruction of the seized drugs was carried out under the supervision of the competent authority and in accordance with the legal provisions governing the disposal of narcotics to ensure complete transparency and prevent any possibility of misuse.
With the latest exercise, Ludhiana Police has disposed of narcotics connected to a record 532 NDPS cases during 2026, making it one of the largest disposal drives undertaken by any police commissionerate in the state this year.
Punjab has long faced the challenge of drug trafficking due to its geographical location and the activities of organised criminal networks. The issue has remained at the centre of the state’s political discourse, with successive governments promising decisive action against the narcotics trade.
Since assuming office, the Bhagwant Mann-led government has repeatedly maintained that eliminating the drug menace is among its highest priorities. The administration has launched sustained enforcement operations targeting drug suppliers, smugglers and organised criminal syndicates while directing the police to strengthen intelligence-led investigations and accelerate prosecutions under the NDPS Act.
Senior police officials say that destroying seized narcotics is an equally important part of the anti-drug strategy, as it ensures that confiscated contraband does not re-enter illegal markets. Alongside seizures and arrests, timely disposal of narcotics is considered a critical component of law enforcement efforts.
The latest operation also highlights the continuing role of Punjab Police in tackling organised drug crime through coordinated investigations, regular enforcement drives and legal action against traffickers. Authorities maintain that the campaign will continue across the state with the objective of dismantling narcotics networks and protecting younger generations from the social and economic consequences of drug abuse.
While officials acknowledge that the fight against drugs remains a long-term challenge, they say sustained policing, stronger legal action and public participation will be essential in reducing the influence of the narcotics trade across Punjab.
