A day after Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann announced a campaign to fight drugs, Punjab Police carried out a major search operation across the state on Saturday. The operation led to the arrest of 290 drug smugglers and the filing of 232 cases (FIRs).
What was Seized?
During the four-hour operation, police recovered:
- 8.14 kg heroin
- 1.21 kg opium
- 3.5 kg ganja
- 19 kg poppy husk
- 700 gm charas
- 16,238 drug tablets/injections
- Rs 8.02 lakh in cash from drug deals
This action is part of the Punjab government's goal to eliminate drug trafficking. Chief Minister Mann has given police three months to make the state drug-free. A special five-member committee, led by Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, will oversee the progress.
How the operation was carried out
The Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav supervised the statewide operation. It was carried out from 9 AM to 1 PM in all 28 police districts. Senior police officials, including Special DGPs, ADGPs, IGPs, and DIGs, were sent to various locations to oversee the crackdown.
Special DGP (Law and Order) Arpit Shukla said that top police officers, including Commissioners of Police (CPs) and Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs), carefully planned the raids. He assured that such operations will continue until Punjab is free from drugs.
Also Read: Punjab CM Mann launches war on drugs, forms action panel
The large-scale operation involved:
- 900 police teams
- 8,368 police personnel
- 233 senior officers
- Raids on 369 drug hotspots
- 798 total raids conducted
- 2,000 suspicious persons checked
- 27 suspects taken into custody
- 5 known criminals (proclaimed offenders) arrested
District-wise highlights
Patiala
Police teams led by DIG Mandeep Singh Sidhu and SSP Nanak Singh carried out searches in Patiala city, Patran, Samana, Nabha, Rajpura, Ghanaur, and Ghagga with 800 police officers. Many local residents helped police by providing information on drug dealers.
- 100 houses searched
- 10 cases (FIRs) filed
- Rs 4 lakh drug money seized
- 35 vehicles confiscated
- 25 suspects detained
DIG Sidhu said that with continued public cooperation, Patiala could be drug-free within a month. SSP Nanak Singh urged locals to support the police in their efforts.
Fazilka
In Fazilka, police arrested 11 people and filed 11 cases (FIRs).
- 129 individuals questioned
- 8 detained
- 54 gm heroin seized
- 155 litres of illegal liquor confiscated
- Rs 34,100 in cash recovered
- 665 drug tablets seized
- 1 motorcycle seized
Muktsar
In Muktsar, police arrested 20 drug peddlers under the supervision of IGP (Intelligence) Babu Lal Meena.
- 800 drug tablets confiscated
- 150 litres of illegal liquor seized
- 35 gm heroin recovered
- 35 bottles of illegal liquor seized
- Rs 1 lakh in drug money recovered
- 16 cases (FIRs) filed
SSP Akhil Chaudhary said that police would continue to track down drug networks.
Sangrur
In Sangrur, 9 cases (FIRs) were filed, and 7 individuals were arrested under the NDPS and Excise Act.
Punjab Police’s promise to keep fighting drugs
Punjab Police has promised to continue its fight against drug smugglers. Senior officials assured that more raids will take place in the coming weeks to further weaken drug networks and ensure public safety.
Also Read: Punjab’s 3-month drug-free goal, 750 locations raided
Follow us
