— PUNJAB POLICE ARRESTS 61K DRUG SMUGGLERS AFTER REGISTRATION OF OVER 43K FIRs SINCE MARCH 1, 2025; RECOVERS 2708KG HEROIN, 764KG OPIUM AND ₹17.6-CR DRUG MONEY
— 309 HELD ON DAY 98 OF ‘GANGSTRAN TE VAAR’
CHANDIGARH, April 28:
In a relentless pursuit to eradicate the drug menace from Punjab as per the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Punjab Police on Tuesday 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 423rd day of the intensified anti-drug campaign.
The CASO was conducted simultaneously from 8 am to 2 pm in all 28 Police districts of the state on the directions of Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav.
During the operation, police teams have conducted raids at 439 drug hotspots across the state leading to arrest of 125 persons after registration of 94 first information reports (FIRs). Police teams have also recovered 474 grams heroin, 1.5 kg opium, 55 kg poppy husk, 3042 intoxicant tablets/capsules and Rs 6,060 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 61,142 drug smugglers after registration of 43,317 first information reports (FIRs) across the state and led to recovery of 2708 kg heroin, 764 kg opium, 643 quintals poppy husk, 923 kg ganja, 52.63 lakh intoxicant tablets/capsules, 37.9 kg ICE and Rs 17.66 crores drug money from the possession of drug smugglers.
Meanwhile, the ‘Gangstran te Vaar’ campaign continued on Day 98 with Police teams arresting 251 individuals with five weapons, taking the total arrests to 24,771 since the launch of the campaign. Apart from this, preventive action has been taken against 80 persons, whereas, 57 persons were verified and released after questioning. Police teams have also arrested three proclaimed offenders (POs) during the operation.
