In a move aimed at curbing the drug menace ahead of the impending Lok Sabha elections in Punjab, the state police on Wednesday launched a crackdown on drug hotspots. Punjab Police's 500 teams conducted cordon and search operations (CASO) at 246 identified locations, notorious for drug trafficking activities, in all the 28 Police districts of the state.  

The operations from 8 am to 11 am simultaneously across Punjab — yielded substantial results as 22 individuals were apprehended by the police. Additionally, law enforcement officials seized a significant quantity of illicit substances, including 2.95 kilograms of heroin, 21.5 kilograms of poppy husk, and drug money amounting to Rs 36,000.  

Sharing information, the state Special DGP (Law and Order) Arpit Shukla said that Commissioners of Police (CPs) and the Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs) were told to plan the operation meticulously by identifying drug hotspots — the points of sale of drugs and psychotropic substances in their respective districts or certain areas which have become shelter or safe haven for drug peddlers, to carry out this operation amid massive deployment of the police force under the supervision of an SP-rank officer.
 
“The CPs and SSPs were also directed to check all those booked under NDPS cases and are on bail or have been acquitted…These kinds of CASOs at a mass-scale level not only help infuse fear among anti-social elements but also boost public confidence and increase the presence of the cops in the field,” he said.

The Special DGP said that over 500 Police teams, comprising over 3000 police personnel, have cordoned off as many as 246 drug hotspots and as many as 864 persons — booked under NDPS cases and are on bail or have been acquitted — were checked.

During the operation, the Police registered 31 first information reports (FIRs) after arresting 22 persons, besides, apprehending one Proclaimed Offender (PO), he said. Sharing outcomes, Spl DGP Arpit Shukla said that Police teams have recovered 2.95 kg heroin, Rs 36,000 drug money, 100 grams opium, 21.5 kg poppy husk, and a huge quantity of lahan, illicit and licit liquor, besides, seizing two pistols along with ammunition.