Punjab Police’s Three-Pronged Strategy Yields Massive Drug Seizures and Arrests in Statewide Operation

Punjab Police’s Three-Pronged Strategy Yields Massive Drug Seizures and Arrests in Statewide Operation

Punjab Police, under the direction of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, executed a large-scale Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) on Sunday, targeting identified drug hotspots across the state to eradicate drug supply at the points of sale. The operation, spearheaded by Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav, saw participation from over 450 police teams comprising more than 3000 personnel. This coordinated effort was supervised by Range ADGPs/IGPs/DIGs and CPs/SSPs, who meticulously planned the operation by pinpointing critical areas notorious for drug activities. Special DGP Law and Order Arpit Shukla, alongside DIG Ropar Range Nilambari Jagdale and SSP Dr. Sandeep Garg in SAS Nagar, led the police teams in the field, focusing on a three-pronged strategy of Enforcement, Deaddiction, and Prevention (EDP). The enforcement efforts have significantly increased heroin recoveries by 5.6 times since 2017, with the Punjab Police seizing a record 1346 kg of heroin in 2023 alone. The conviction rate under the NDPS Act has also risen to 81% in 2023 from 59% in 2018. The CASO operation resulted in the registration of 140 FIRs, arrest of 166 individuals, and the recovery of 2.7 kg of heroin, ₹1.50 lakh in drug money, 12.2 kg of poppy husk, 5820 intoxicant tablets, and large quantities of illicit liquor and lahan, along with the impounding of 16 motorcycles and three cars. Since March 2022, the Punjab Police has arrested 35,385 drug smugglers and suppliers, including 356 major traffickers, registered 25,887 FIRs, seized 2309 kg of heroin, and forfeited properties worth Rs 200 crores. The police have also focused on educating the public and promoting deaddiction, encouraging drug users caught with small quantities to seek rehabilitation under section 64-A of the NDPS Act. This comprehensive approach underscores the commitment of the Punjab Police to make the state drug-free, with Special DGP Arpit Shukla emphasizing the importance of stringent law enforcement and community involvement in combating the drug menace.

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