CM Bhagwant Singh Mann-led Punjab Govt Adopts Three-Pronged Strategy to Eradicate Drugs from the State
Properties of 602 Big Smugglers Worth Rs 324 Crores Forfeited Under Special Drive
Police Teams Recovered Rs. 30.83-Cr Drug Money, 2457-Kg Opium, 1156 Quintals of Poppy Husk & 4.29 Crores Tablets/Capsules/Injections/Vials Since March 16, 2022
Drive to Arrest POs/Absconders in NDPS Act Cases Witnesses Significant Surge as Toll Reaches 2378
Punjab Police Busts 45 Terror Modules with Arrest of 272 Terrorists Since March 16, 2022
Since Inception, AGTF Arrests 1420 Gangsters/Criminals Besides Neutralising 12; Recovers 1337 Weapons
8789 Drug Smugglers/Suppliers Held with 628-Kg Heroin, 796-Kg Opium, Rs 10.32-Cr Drug Money This Year
Chandigarh, September 16
In the two and a half years since Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann launched a decisive war against drugs to eradicate the menace from Punjab, the Punjab Police have arrested a staggering 39840 drug smugglers, including 5856 big fish. A total of 29152 first information reports (FIRs) have been registered, with 3581 related to commercial quantity.
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Headquarters Sukhchain Singh Gill, addressing a press conference, stated that Punjab Police teams have recovered 2546-Kg Heroin from across the state through extensive cordon and search operations and nakas at vulnerable routes.
In addition to the significant heroin seizure, the Police teams have also recovered 2457-Kg opium, 1156 quintals of poppy husk, and 4.29 crore tablets/capsules/injections/vials of Pharma opioids. Furthermore, they have seized Rs 30.83 crores of drug money from the arrested drug smugglers.
The IGP highlighted that Punjab Police have forfeited properties of 602 big smugglers worth Rs 324.28 crores in these two and a half years. Moreover, 192 cases to freeze properties worth 103.50 crores are pending with the competent authority for approval.
The state government has implemented a three-pronged strategy—Enforcement, Prevention, and Rehabilitation— to eradicate drugs from the state. As part of this strategy, the Punjab Police has been promoting awareness about section 64-A of the NDPS act, which provides an opportunity for drug consumers to undergo rehabilitation.
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“As many as 295 drug consumers, caught with small quantities of drugs in 245 cases, have availed the provision of section 64-A of the NDPS by pledging to undergo rehabilitation treatment,” said the IGP.
In an ongoing special drive to arrest Proclaimed Offenders (POs)/Absconders in NDPS cases, Punjab Police have apprehended 2378 POs/Absconders since March 16, 2022.
Regarding the achievements of Punjab Police against gangsters, the IGP mentioned that the Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF), along with field units, has successfully busted 508 gangsters/criminals modules, arresting 1420 gangsters/criminals and neutralizing 12. They have also recovered 1337 weapons, 294 vehicles used in criminal activities, 56.7 KGs heroin, and Rs 4.05 crores drug money.
In terms of action against terrorists, the IGP stated that the Internal Security has busted 45 terror modules, arresting 272 terrorists and recovering 34 Rifles, 303 Revolvers/Pistols, 14 Hand Grenades, and 290 Drones.
To combat the use of mobile phones inside jails, the Punjab Police have blacklisted 1663 IMEI numbers and blocked 475 mobile numbers. Additionally, at least 6500 social media accounts glorifying gangsters and promoting violence have been blocked.
Providing an update for this year, the IGP said that since January 1, 2024, the police have arrested 8789 drug smugglers/suppliers, registering 6439 first information reports (FIRs), including 825 commercial cases. They have recovered 628-Kg Heroin, 796-Kg opium, 324 quintals of poppy husk, 2.83 crores tablets/capsules/injections/vials of Pharma opioids, and Rs 10.32 crores drug money.
