Chandigarh: Punjab Police has completed 500 days of its flagship anti-drug campaign, ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’, reporting major gains against narcotics trafficking through a combination of strict enforcement, community policing and preventive awareness initiatives.

Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav said the campaign, launched on March 1, 2025, has resulted in the registration of 52,432 FIRs under the NDPS Act and the arrest of over 68,850 alleged drug traffickers, making it one of the largest anti-narcotics crackdowns in the state’s history. Among those arrested were 629 major traffickers, each found with more than two kilograms of heroin, collectively valued at around ₹12 crore.

The campaign has also targeted the financial networks supporting the drug trade. According to ADGP Nilabh Kishore, Chief of the Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF), properties worth ₹319 crore linked to drug traffickers have been attached or confiscated. Illegal structures allegedly built on government land using proceeds from narcotics have also been demolished, reinforcing the state’s zero-tolerance policy against organised drug crime.

Punjab Police highlighted the growing role of public participation through the Safe Punjab Anti-Drug Helpline (97791-00200), which has received 46,342 anonymous tip-offs. These inputs have led to the arrest of 22,960 alleged traffickers, reflecting increasing public confidence in law enforcement and the effectiveness of community policing.

Alongside enforcement, the Punjab Government has focused on rehabilitation by extending immunity from prosecution under Section 64A of the NDPS Act to 10,917 individuals, allowing them to seek treatment and recovery instead of facing criminal prosecution.

The police also reported an 89% conviction rate in NDPS cases, which officials described as the highest in the country, attributing the achievement to stronger investigations, improved evidence collection and close coordination with prosecution agencies.

To strengthen grassroots vigilance, Punjab Police continues to work with more than 24,000 Village Defence Committees, comprising over 1.25 lakh members, who assist in intelligence gathering and reporting suspicious activities. Awareness campaigns, sports events and youth outreach programmes are also being conducted across the state in partnership with educational institutions, civil society organisations and community leaders.

Marking the 500-day milestone, DGP Yadav reaffirmed that Punjab Police will continue intensifying its campaign against organised drug syndicates while strengthening community participation to achieve the long-term goal of a drug-free Punjab.