Chandigarh: Punjab’s flagship anti-drug campaign ‘Yudh Nasheyan Virudh’ has escalated into a sustained, high-intensity offensive under Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, with fresh data indicating a sharp rise in enforcement, deeper disruption of trafficking networks and markedly improved conviction rates.
According to official figures, 73,541 cases under the NDPS Act have been registered between 2022 and 2026 so far — a jump of over 40 per cent compared to 52,255 cases during 2017–21. Arrests have also surged to 98,596, nearly 45 per cent higher than the previous period, signalling an aggressive and sustained crackdown across the state.
Seizure data underscores the scale of the operation. Heroin recoveries have risen by a staggering 148 per cent, with 5,979 kg seized since 2022 compared to 2,412 kg earlier. Opium seizures have increased by over 43 per cent to 3,583 kg, reflecting intensified ground-level enforcement.
The action against synthetic drugs has been particularly sharp. Ice (crystal methamphetamine) seizures have jumped more than fourfold — from 17 kg in 2017–21 to 93 kg in the current period — marking a 447 per cent spike. Cocaine seizures remain broadly steady at over 6,000 kg, indicating continued pressure on high-value narcotics.
Authorities have also widened the crackdown to tackle pharmaceutical drug abuse, with 8.7 crore tablets and capsules seized since 2022, pointing to a broader strategy targeting supply chains fuelling addiction among youth.
Crucially, the enforcement push is translating into stronger judicial outcomes. Conviction rates have climbed significantly, reaching 89 per cent — up from 64 per cent earlier — suggesting tighter investigations and more effective prosecution.
Punjab Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav said the figures reflect a “structural shift” in tackling the drug menace. “The rise in cases and seizures shows deeper, intelligence-led targeting of networks, while higher conviction rates indicate cases are being pursued to their logical end,” he noted.
Officials attribute the scale and consistency of the crackdown to a coordinated strategy led by the state government, with ‘Yudh Nasheyan Virudh’ emerging as the central pillar of enforcement.
While seizures have surged, the government maintains that the broader goal remains long-term disruption of drug networks and reducing availability at the grassroots level, ensuring that intensified enforcement delivers lasting impact.
