Drug-free Punjab campaign: 17,539 drug peddlers arrested in crackdown

LAHORE : Punjab Police have intensified their crackdown on drug peddlers across all districts of the province to realize the Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz's vision of drug-free Punjab.

IG Punjab Dr Usman Anwar said that during the special campaign, ongoing since February 26, police teams carried out 36,711 anti-narcotics raids across Punjab. A total of 17,539 accused involved in drug trafficking were arrested while 17,047 cases were registered. Seizures from the suspects included over 10,000 kilograms of charas, 53 kilograms of Ice (crystal meth), 183 kilograms of heroin, 274 kilograms of opium, and 1.696 million liters of alcohol.

IG Punjab has directed supervisory officers to further intensify intelligence-based operations against drug dealers, traffickers, and smugglers. In ongoing operations over the past 24 hours, 268 raids were conducted on drug dealers' hideouts, resulting in the arrest of 104 suspects and the registration of 102 cases against them. Seized contraband included 76 kilograms of charas and 612 liters of alcohol.

IG Punjab has instructed RPOs and DPOs to personally oversee anti-narcotics operations, ensuring regular search and combing operations in drug hotspot areas. Dr Usman Anwar emphasised the need for decisive action against those involved in the supply chain and online sale of drugs in educational institutions.

IG Punjab further directed that suspects involved in inter-provincial and inter-district drug smuggling be brought to justice and given strict punishments.

Meanwhile, Lahore Police also registered 5,573 cases and apprehended 5,747 suspects in a significant crackdown.

The spokesperson of Lahore Police on Saturday said that the police seized over 3,985 kilograms of chars, more than 197 kilograms of heroin, over 107 kilograms of ice and 39,817 liters of alcohol.

Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Bilal Siddique Kamyana has announced the initiation of large-scale operations to combat drug trafficking. He emphasised that comprehensive strategies are being implemented to prevent drug smuggling and its abuse.

The CCPO stated that we are conducting indiscriminate actions against drug networks. He highlighted targeted operations to suppress drug dealers around educational institutions using intelligence-based operations. He underscored the arrest of suspects involved in supplying narcotics and the utilisation of advanced technology to curb online drug activities. Kamyana instructed supervisory officers to personally oversee anti-drug operations and appealed to the parents to closely monitor their children's activities.