Drug traffickers' assets worth 2730 crore seized in Punjab

Chandigarh (The Uttam Hindu): The second phase of 'Yudh Nasheyan Virudh' has been initiated in Punjab with the clear objective of eliminating drugs from the state at their very roots. Under the leadership of Chief Minister S. Bhagwant Mann, decisive and sustained action has been undertaken against narcotics and organised crime networks, with steady progress being reported towards a conclusive victory in the fight against drugs.

Over the past three and a half years, a total of 85,418 drug smugglers have been arrested across Punjab. During this period, the conviction rate under the NDPS (Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances) Act has reached 88 percent, while 916 gangsters have been apprehended since January 1, 2025. Since 2022, 63,053 cases have been registered against drug smugglers. Following the launch of the 'Yudh Nasheyan Virudh' campaign in 2025, police registered 30,144 FIRS and arrested 40,302 smugglers.

The first phase of this comprehensive campaign was launched on March 1, 2025, and was widely acknowledged for its effectiveness in curbing the drug menace. A multi-dimensional strategy based on enforcement, de-addiction, and prevention was adopted, leading to encouraging results. Under this approach, strict action was taken against drug suppliers, while trafficking networks were systematically dismantled.

During the last three and a half years, significant recoveries were made by the police, including 5,119.94 kg of heroin, 3,458.53 kg of opium, 5.82 kg of cocaine, 82.04 kg of ICE (methamphetamine), 4.98 crore intoxicant capsules, and %2.46 crore in drug money. Since 2022, the fight against drugs has been accorded the highest priority by the Punjab Government, with a comprehensive, continuous, and resultoriented strategy encompassing enforcement, financial disruption, technology-driven policing, assured convictions, public participation, and rehabilitation.

A key role in implementing this strategy has been played by the Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) of Punjab Police, resulting in positive outcomes across all major indicators. Financial investigations have emerged as a critical component of the campaign, with over 1,400 cases identified for the seizure of illegally acquired properties. Between 2022 and 2025, assets worth more than 2,730 crore were seized, delivering a strong message that profits from drug-related crimes will not be tolerated in Punjab.

Due to improvements in investigation quality and effective legal prosecution, courts have disposed of over 25,000 NDPS cases, leading to more than 21,600 convictions. The overall conviction rate stands at approximately 84 percent, which has shown steady improvement and reached nearly 88 percent in 2025. This progress reflects robust case preparation, enhanced forensic support, and strong prosecution.

Technological capabilities have also been significantly enhanced through PAIS-based analysis, technical cells, digital forensics, and improved intelligence sharing. Citizen participation has been strengthened through the 'Safe Punjab WhatsApp Chatbot', which has generated nearly 30,000 actionable inputs, resulting in the registration of over 11,000 FIRS and approximately 14,000 arrests, with a conviction rate of about 38 percent, highlighting public trust and an effective response mechanism.

In response to the challenge of drone-based drug smuggling, state capabilities have been substantially upgraded, leading to the recovery of hundreds of drones in recent years and notable success in curbing drone activity during 2025.

In parallel, firm action against organised crime has been pursued. Between January 1 and December 17, 916 gangsters were arrested by Punjab Police, 13 criminals were neutralised in encounters, 389 modules were busted, and 594 weapons were recovered, reinforcing the comprehensive approach adopted to restore law and order in the state.