The drive has seen the registration of a total of 13,458 FIRs, of which 1630 are related to commercial quantities of narcotics.
Published Aug 15, 2023 | 4:03 AM ⚊ Updated Aug 15, 2023 | 4:05 AM
IGP Sukhchain Singh Gill talks to reporters. (Supplied)
In a major success against the drug menace in the state, the Punjab Police have arrested as many as 18,079 drug smugglers — including 2643 notorious ones — in the last 13 months.
The drive, conducted as part of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s ambitious zero-drug-smuggling plan, has seen the registration of a total of 13,458 FIRs, of which 1630 are related to commercial quantities of narcotics.
Inspector General of Police (IGP) Sukhchain Singh Gill said that the police teams recovered 1,259.66 kg of heroin from across the state after carrying out cordon-and-search operations in drug-affected areas, besides laying nakas at vulnerable routes.
Additionally, 147.5 kg of heroin was recovered by Punjab Police teams from the seaports of Gujarat and Maharashtra, taking the total effective recovery of heroin to 1,407.16 kg in just 13 months.
The Punjab Police also recovered 837.42 kg opium, 951.37 kg marijuana, 404.45 quintals of poppy husk, and 89 lakh tablets, capsules, injections, and vials of pharma opioids from across the state.
The police also recovered ₹13.29 crore of drug money from drug smugglers arrested in the last 13 months.
It may be noted that the Punjab Police made the biggest recovery of heroin — 99.12 kg — last week after arresting 316 drug smugglers and suppliers.
The police in one week registered 231 FIRs, including 30 of commercial quantity.
The total number of arrests reached 1,026 in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act cases since the special drive to arrest POs/absconders was started on 5 July, 2022.
“We are targeting the drug menace in the state by busting the supply chain. In addition to tackling cross-border narco-terrorism, we are working on demolishing the peddler network in the state,” said Gill.
The IGP, as part of the crackdown, has asked all investigating officers to trace the source of drugs during recoveries irrespective of the amount.
Taking a strong stance against drug smuggling, Punjab Police has taken down 316 smugglers, launching 231 FIRs. @DGPPunjabPolice orders to CPs/SSPs for thorough investigations mark a determined move forward.
Additionally 13 more POs in NDPS Cases were arrested this week. pic.twitter.com/YNd10EzG7d
— Punjab Police India (@PunjabPoliceInd) August 14, 2023
Meanwhile, the Punjab police in a joint operation with Central agencies on Monday busted a terror module run by Pakistan-based terrorist Havinder Rinda and US-based gangster Goldy Brar.
The five arrested accused have been identified as Gurinder Singh, Gurpinder Singh, Lovepreet Singh, Narinder Singh and Sukhmanpreet Singh.
The police also recovered two foreign-made 9mm pistols along with ammunition from their possession.
Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav said that the accused were planning to disrupt peace and harmony in the state through targeted killings in Punjab.
This module was apparently being operated by US-based gangster Harpreet Happy on behalf of Rinda and Brar.
According to Yadav, the police acted on inputs that operatives were planning to target prominent political and socio-religious leaders in the state through this newly-formed gang.
“Counter Intelligence, in coordination with central agencies, carried out a special operation. We got inputs that the armed operatives were meeting in Amritsar. A special team of SSOC (State Special Operation Cell) Amritsar immediately rushed to the area and cordoned it off in a planned manner, resulting in the arrest of five operatives of this module with therecovery of weapons,” said SSOC Amritsar Assistant Inspector General (AIG) Sukhminder Singh Mann.
“The accused persons have also been receiving financial aid through various channels. We have registered an FIR under sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act,” he added.
Sharing preliminary investigation details, the AIG said that the arrested persons recently received a drone-delivered weapon consignment through the Indo-Pakistan border, arranged for by gangster Happy with the help of Rinda.
In two separate operations with central agency & @PunjabPoliceInd Counter Intelligence team has busted terror modules
Arrested 5 operatives of #Pakistan based Rinda & #USA based Goldy Brar(with 2 foreign made pistols) who were planning to commit targeted killings in Punjab (1/3) pic.twitter.com/sERyQWkfc8
— DGP Punjab Police (@DGPPunjabPolice) August 14, 2023
