Continuing its relentless campaign against drugs under Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann’s initiative “Yudh Nashian Virudh,” the Punjab Police carried out a major crackdown for the 149th consecutive day on Monday. Raids were conducted at 381 locations across the state, resulting in the arrest of 80 drug traffickers and the registration of 57 FIRs. With these arrests, the total number of drug smugglers apprehended since the launch of the campaign has risen to 23,726.
During the operation, police recovered 255 grams of heroin, 1,218 intoxicating tablets/pills/injections, and ₹10,760 in drug money from those arrested.
The statewide operation was carried out under the direction of Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab, Gaurav Yadav, and was simultaneously executed across all 28 police districts.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann has directed all Commissioners of Police, Deputy Commissioners, and Senior Superintendents of Police to intensify efforts to make Punjab drug-free. In support of this mission, the state government has formed a five-member Cabinet Sub-Committee headed by Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema to oversee the campaign.
Providing further details, Special DGP (Law and Order) Arpit Shukla shared that over 180 police teams, involving more than 1,100 personnel and led by 83 gazetted officers, were deployed for the operation. He added that police also questioned 427 suspicious individuals during the day-long drive.
The Special DGP stated that the Punjab Government is implementing a comprehensive three-pronged approach—Enforcement, De-addiction, and Prevention (EDP)—to eliminate drug abuse. As part of the de-addiction initiative, police persuaded 41 individuals to begin treatment and rehabilitation on Monday.