Punjab’s Anti-Drug Efforts: 221 FIRs, Rs 15.71 Lakh Seized In Drug Money Recovery

The Punjab government, led by Bhagwant Singh Mann, has initiated a comprehensive strategy to combat drug abuse in the state. As part of this effort, the Punjab Police have filed 221 first information reports (FIRs), apprehended 254 individuals, and confiscated drug money amounting to Rs 15.71 lakh.

To escalate the anti-drug campaign directed by Chief Minister Mann, senior officers from the Punjab Police Headquarters (PPHQ) collaborated with CPs/SSPs to conduct a large-scale state-level Cordon and Search Operation (CASO) named ‘EAGLE-IV’ at identified drug hotspots across the state, as announced by the Information and Public Relations Department, Punjab.

Under the guidance of Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav, this operation took place simultaneously from 8 am to 2 pm across all 28 Police districts of the state. Special DGP/ADGP/IGP/DIG rank officers from PPHQ were assigned to supervise the operation in each Police district personally.

Special DGP Law and Order Arpit Shukla, along with SSP Guneet Singh Khurana in Rupnagar, emphasized the meticulous planning of the operation at areas where drug peddlers often find refuge, amidst extensive police deployment.

The state government’s three-pronged strategy—Enforcement, Deaddiction, and Prevention (EDP)—aims to root out drugs. Police officials are instructed to trace the connections in all NDPS act cases and take strict action against those colluding with drug smugglers.

Special DGP Arpit Shukla highlighted the vigilance on drone movements, a new smuggling method. He reported 906 drone sightings since September 2019, with 187 drones successfully recovered. The crackdown includes forfeiting properties of major drug smugglers, with 459 properties worth Rs 200 crores already seized and 559 proposals pending.

Over 500 police teams, involving over 4000 personnel, targeted 392 drug hotspots, setting up 352 strong checkpoints during the operation. The police filed 221 FIRs, apprehended 254 persons, and conducted thorough checks on 4575 individuals, recovering a significant amount of illicit substances and liquor.