Punjab Police’s Decisive War Against Drugs: 14 Months, 19,093 Traffickers Arrested, 1,548 kg Heroin Recovered

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s Three-Pronged Strategy Bears Fruit

Chandigarh, September 4, 2023

In a resolute campaign against the scourge of drugs, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann’s administration has completed 14 months of relentless efforts to combat drug trafficking. The Punjab Police announced remarkable achievements in this ongoing battle, with the arrest of 19,093 drug traffickers, including 2,778 major players, since the launch of the campaign on July 5, 2022.

Key Achievements:

Heroin Seizures: The police have seized a staggering total of 1,548.27 kg of heroin, with approximately 240 kg recovered in the month of August alone. Additionally, Punjab Police teams recovered 147.5 kg of heroin from sea ports in Gujarat and Maharashtra.

Other Narcotics: Alongside heroin, authorities have also confiscated 871.82 kg of opium, 446.30 quintals of bhukki (a local intoxicant), and 90.59 lakh tablets, capsules, vaccines, and vials of pharmaceutical opioids.

Drug Money Recovery: A significant accomplishment is the recovery of drug money totaling Rs. 13.96 crore from the possession of arrested drug traffickers during the past 14 months.

Punjab’s Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s 14-month campaign against drug trafficking has yielded impressive results. The Punjab Police have arrested 19,093 drug traffickers, including major players, since July 2022. They seized a staggering 1,548.27 kg of heroin, 871.82 kg of opium, 446.30 quintals of bhukki, and over 90 lakh pharmaceutical opioids, along with recovering drug money totaling Rs. 13.96 crore.

The campaign follows a three-pronged strategy: active police involvement, public outreach programs, and reducing drug demand. Recent efforts include arresting 333 drug traffickers, seizing narcotics, and focusing on rehabilitating drug users.

Furthermore, the crackdown on fugitives under the NDPIS Act has resulted in 1,062 arrests. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s determination to create a drug-free Punjab remains evident in the ongoing battle against drug trafficking.

Three-Pronged Strategy:

In line with Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s directives, the Punjab Police, led by Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav, has implemented a comprehensive three-pronged strategy to eradicate the drug menace:

1. Police Involvement: The police have conducted extensive operations against street vendors and suppliers to curtail drug supply in neighborhoods and villages. Individuals caught with small quantities of narcotics are offered treatment and rehabilitation, sparing them from arrest under Section 64A of the NDPS Act. Special attention is given to pharmaceutical drugs.

2. Public Outreach Programs: Police teams are actively engaging with communities to raise awareness about the harmful effects of drugs. Awareness activities involving school children, college students, and non-governmental organizations include rallies, workshops, seminars, and cycle rallies.

3. Drug Demand Reduction: Collaborating with various government departments, the police aim to identify drug users and redirect their energies toward rehabilitation and positive activities.

Weekly Update:

In the latest weekly update, the police registered 242 FIRs, including 27 related to drug-related cases. They arrested 333 drug traffickers and suppliers, recovering 28.88 kg of heroin, 3.17 kg of opium, 6.36 quintals of bhukki, along with 1.21 lakh tablets, capsules, vaccines, and pharmaceutical opioids. Additionally, drug money amounting to Rs. 10.12 lakhs was seized.

Crackdown on Fugitives:

As part of the operation to apprehend persons of interest and fugitives under the NDPIS Act, 11 more arrests were made last week, bringing the total number of arrests in this category to 1,062 since July 5, 2022.

The Punjab Police’s relentless commitment to eradicating drugs from the state reflects Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s determination to create a drug-free Punjab. With significant seizures and proactive strategies in place, the battle against drug trafficking in Punjab continues with unwavering resolve.