THE NEWS DOSE DESK
CHANDIGARH, July 1, UPDATED: 7:30 PMÂ
In a significant achievement in Punjab’s ongoing war against drugs, the state police have arrested 19,880 drug smugglers and registered 12,135 FIRs in just four months since the launch of the anti-narcotics campaign ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ on March 1, 2025. The drive, initiated under the directive of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, has led to the seizure of 786 kg of heroin, along with massive quantities of other narcotics and illicit cash.
Multi-District Crackdown Yields Record Seizures
According to Special DGP (Law and Order) Arpit Shukla, who has been supervising the state-wide operations, the Punjab Police have also recovered 301 kg opium, 158 quintals of poppy husk, 11 kg charas, 300 kg ganja, 2.9 kg synthetic drug ICE, and 27.99 lakh intoxicant tablets and capsules. The total value of drug money seized stands at over ₹11.58 crore. These results reflect consistent action across all 28 police districts, under the leadership of DGP Gaurav Yadav and coordination from more than 200 police teams involving 1,300 personnel and 87 gazetted officers.
Day 122: 128 Arrested, Heroin and Drug Cash Recovered
On Day 122 of the drive, police arrested 128 drug smugglers, recovering 4.1 kg of heroin, 3.5 kg of opium, 10 kg of poppy husk, over 13,600 intoxicant pills, and ₹1.25 lakh in drug money. Raids were carried out at 418 locations across the state, resulting in the registration of 92 new FIRs. Police teams also interrogated 428 individuals who were suspicious during the day-long operation.
De-Addiction and Monitoring Strategy in Place
Alongside enforcement, the campaign also focuses on rehabilitation. The police convinced 76 individuals to voluntarily undergo de-addiction and rehabilitation treatment as part of the state’s three-pronged strategy—Enforcement, De-addiction, and Prevention (EDP). The government has constituted a five-member Cabinet Sub-Committee, headed by Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, to monitor the anti-drug drive. CM Bhagwant Mann has directed top police and administrative officials to sustain pressure on drug networks and move toward making Punjab a drug-free state.
Police officials have reiterated their commitment to continue the campaign aggressively, combining real-time intelligence, community participation, and daily enforcement action to dismantle the drug trade and safeguard the future of Punjab’s youth.
