Chandigarh, March 15, 2025 – In a major push to eliminate drug trafficking, Punjab Police arrested 114 drug smugglers and registered 72 FIRs during a large-scale raid conducted at 557 locations across the state on Saturday. This marks the 15th consecutive day of the state’s anti-drug campaign, “Yudh Nashian Virudh,” initiated by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann. The total number of arrests since the campaign began has now reached 1,936.
Massive Seizure of Drugs and Cash
The operation led to the seizure of 945 grams of heroin, 43 kg of poppy husk, and 3,098 intoxicant tablets, pills, and injections. Authorities also recovered Rs 76,310 in drug money from those arrested.
Statewide Operation Under DGP’s Supervision
The raids were carried out on the orders of Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav and were conducted simultaneously in all 28 police districts of Punjab. Over 250 police teams, comprising more than 1,600 personnel under the supervision of 103 gazetted officers, participated in the crackdown. They also checked 592 suspicious individuals during the day-long operation.
Political Push for a Drug-Free Punjab
CM Bhagwant Singh Mann has directed police officials, including Commissioners of Police, Deputy Commissioners, and Senior Superintendents of Police, to make Punjab a drug-free state within the next three months. To oversee the campaign’s progress, the Punjab government has formed a five-member Cabinet Sub-Committee led by Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema.
Three-Pronged Strategy to Eradicate Drugs
Special DGP Arpit Shukla outlined the state’s Enforcement, Deaddiction, and Prevention (EDP) strategy. As part of the de-addiction effort, police have convinced two individuals to undergo treatment and rehabilitation. Additionally, the police organized 127 awareness events across the state to educate the public about drug prevention.
