Punjab Police Completes Six Months of Anti-Drug Drive
Chandigarh, September 1: The Punjab Police’s six-month war against drugs, titled ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’, has achieved significant milestones. Since March 1, 2025, police have arrested 27,796 drug smugglers and recovered 1129 kilograms of heroin.
The drive, launched under the guidance of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, has also led to the seizure of 384 kg opium, 232 quintals of poppy husk, 430 kg ganja, 29 kg charas, 6.3 kg ICE, and 33 lakh intoxicant pills. Additionally, authorities have confiscated ₹12.44 crore in drug money.
The campaign, implemented across all 28 police districts, aims to make Punjab a drug-free state. CM Mann instructed senior police officials, including Commissioners of Police and Deputy Commissioners, to intensify operations across urban and rural areas.
Massive Operations Across Punjab
The Special Director General of Police (Special DGP) Law and Order, Arpit Shukla, stated that over 120 police teams comprising 1,000 personnel and 67 gazetted officers conducted raids at 309 locations in a single day, leading to the registration of 43 FIRs.
On Day 184, authorities arrested 58 drug smugglers, recovered 8.4 kg heroin, 4087 intoxicant pills, and seized Rs 2,300 in drug money. Police also monitored 337 suspicious individuals to prevent drug circulation.
“The operations are conducted simultaneously across Punjab to maintain a continuous crackdown on drug smugglers,” said Special DGP Shukla. “We are determined to protect the youth and eliminate narcotics from our society.”
Three-Pronged Strategy: Enforcement, De-addiction, Prevention
Punjab’s anti-drug initiative is based on a three-pronged EDP strategy:
- Enforcement – Regular raids, arrests, and seizure of drugs and cash.
- De-addiction – Counseling and rehabilitation programs for addicts.
- Prevention – Awareness campaigns in schools, colleges, and communities.
As part of the de-addiction effort, authorities successfully convinced 14 individuals to undergo rehabilitation treatment. The government continues to focus on preventing drug abuse through community engagement and educational initiatives.
Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, leading a 5-member Cabinet Sub-Committee, monitors all operations to ensure transparency and effectiveness. The committee reviews progress daily and coordinates between police districts to strengthen enforcement.
Impact on Punjab’s Communities
The drive has had a substantial impact on reducing drug trafficking networks in Punjab. By arresting thousands of smugglers and seizing significant quantities of narcotics, police have disrupted supply chains that were endangering public health and safety.
Local communities have lauded the initiative, particularly in rural districts where drug abuse had previously escalated. Officials say that sustained operations, combined with prevention and rehabilitation measures, aim to safeguard the youth and support families affected by substance abuse.
“Through strict enforcement and community engagement, we are moving closer to a drug-free Punjab,” CM Mann said during a review of ongoing operations. “Our government is committed to protecting citizens, especially our youth, from the menace of drugs.”
Future Measures and Monitoring
Punjab Police continues 24/7 monitoring of all high-risk areas, using intelligence networks, riverine checks, and surveillance to track narcotics. Officials emphasize the need for citizen cooperation, urging residents to report suspicious activities to local police stations or helplines.
The government plans to expand rehabilitation centers and awareness programs in schools and colleges to prevent the next generation from falling into drug abuse. Authorities also intend to maintain a high frequency of raids and checkpoints in border districts to curb smuggling from neighboring states.