Chandigarh, January 1 — As Punjab’s aggressive anti-drug campaign, ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’, completes 10 months, the state police has made significant progress in its battle against drug smuggling and abuse. Since its launch on March 1, 2025, Punjab Police has arrested over 42,600 drug smugglers, seized 1,849 kg of heroin, and registered 29,351 first information reports (FIRs) in a state-wide operation aimed at curbing the drug menace.
Under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann and Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab, Gaurav Yadav, the campaign has been a daily operation across all 28 districts of the state. The CM’s directive to make Punjab a drug-free state has resulted in comprehensive police action, including the formation of a 5-member Cabinet Sub Committee, headed by Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, to oversee the ongoing efforts.
In addition to the heroin, police have seized 599 kg of opium, 272 quintals of poppy husk, 51 kg of charas, 624 kg of ganja, 28 kg of ICE (crystal meth), 46 lakh intoxicant pills, and a staggering ₹15.26 crore in drug money.
On Day 306 of the campaign, Punjab Police arrested 49 drug smugglers, recovering 468 grams of heroin, 202 intoxicant pills, and ₹2,500 in drug money. Over 100 police teams, comprising more than 700 personnel, conducted raids across 257 locations in the state, resulting in 38 additional FIRs. In total, police have verified 271 suspicious individuals during the course of this operation.
The Punjab government’s anti-drug strategy is built on a three-pronged approach: Enforcement, De-addiction, and Prevention (EDP). As part of the de-addiction drive, Punjab Police has successfully persuaded 21 individuals to undergo rehabilitation treatment, helping them in their journey toward recovery.
These measures reflect a long-term commitment to not only tackling drug smuggling but also to rehabilitating those affected by substance abuse, in line with the government’s vision of a healthier, drug-free Punjab.
