— PUNJAB POLICE ARRESTS 54K DRUG SMUGGLERS AFTER REGISTRATION OF OVER 38K FIRs SINCE MARCH 1, 2025; RECOVERS 2384KG HEROIN, 715KG OPIUM AND ₹17-CR DRUG MONEY
— 207 HELD ON DAY 58 OF ‘GANGSTRAN TE VAAR’
CHANDIGARH, March 19:
In a relentless pursuit to eradicate the drug menace from Punjab as per the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Punjab Police on Thursday conducted a statewide Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) at identified drug Hotspots— the points of sale of drugs and psychotropic substances— across the state as part of the Yudh Nashian Virudh, marking the 383rd day of the intensified anti-drug campaign.
The CASO was conducted simultaneously in all 28 Police districts of the state on the directions of Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav. Senior officers from the Punjab Police Headquarters (PPHQs) were deputed in different districts to personally supervise the CASO.
During the daylong operation, police teams have conducted raids at 426 drug hotspots across the state leading to arrest of 248 persons after registration of 200 first information reports (FIRs). Police teams have also recovered 710 grams heroin, 20 kg poppy husk, 2655 intoxicant tablets/capsules and Rs 14,150 drug money from the possession of arrested drug smugglers.
Notably, CM Bhagwant Singh Mann has asked the Commissioners of Police, Deputy Commissioners and Senior Superintendent of Police to make Punjab drug free state. The Punjab government has also constituted a 5-member Cabinet Sub Committee led by Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema to monitor the war against drugs.
Special DGP Law and Order Arpit Shukla, who was personally overseeing the operation, said that the ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ campaign launched on March 1, 2025, has resulted in arrest of 54,190 drug smugglers after registration of 38,119 first information reports (FIRs) across the state and led to recovery of 2384 kg heroin, 715 kg opium, 303 quintals poppy husk, 834 kg ganja, 51.35 lakh intoxicant tablets/capsules, 36 kg ICE and Rs 17 crores drug money from the possession of drug smugglers.
The Special DGP said that as part of De-addiction, the Punjab Police has convinced 1.21 lakh persons to undergo de-addiction and rehabilitation treatment at De-addiction or OOAT Centres.
Meanwhile, the ‘Gangstran te Vaar’ campaign continued on Day 58 with Police teams arresting 207 individuals with four weapons, taking the total arrests to 15,458 since the launch of the campaign. Apart from this, preventive action has been taken against 80 persons, whereas, 101 persons were verified and released after questioning. Police teams have also arrested six proclaimed offenders (POs) during the operation.
