171 nabbed from dist during campaign against drugs, says Deo

The Special DGP, Community Affairs Division and Women Affairs, Punjab, Gurpreet Deo, avoided reply when she was asked about a female constable of Bathinda, who was held with drugs by the police. Deo said she was here to speak about drug seizures in Ludhiana in the past about a month and she was in no position to comment on the matter.

Talking about cracking the whip against drug smugglers, the Special DGP said the campaign against drugs, ‘Yudh Nasheyan Virudh’, was started on March 1.

She said till date, 117 cases under the NDPS Act were registered in the district. A total of 171 suspects had been arrested so far from Ludhiana. Among the list of drug peddlers and suppliers prepared by the state anti-narcotic task force, 200 smugglers were from Ludhiana. Of these 200 persons, 100 were arrested by the police so far while search for the remaining suspects was on.

At the same time, the senior IPS officer said when the police act tough against the peddlers, they prefer to remain low profile and in such circumstances, it becomes difficult for the police to arrest them. “The department is trying its best to arrest identified smugglers at the earliest. Many search operations were also conducted in Ludhiana, which is crucial. Meetings and awareness seminars are conducted on the issue. Though it was not that impactful due to examinations in schools and colleges, we have roped in many departments to spread awareness,” Deo said.

She said: “During search operations, we should not only focus on small smugglers or peddlers but also catch the big fish too. “In case they catch small smugglers, they must search for real players who run such rackets. Figures gathered by the Health Department also revealed 100 per cent utilisation of beds in drug-de addiction centres due to the crackdown against drug smugglers and addicts,” said Deo, adding that the police had taken a firm stand against drug abuse and trafficking by adopting a multi-faceted approach. She admitted that there was a scarcity of drug inspectors due to which the work suffers.

The drug seizures during the campaign include 4.313 kg of heroin, 55.800 kg of opium, 1.970 kg of charas, 11.664 kg of ganja, 23 gm of cocaine and 5,330 intoxicating pills and capsules.

Ludhiana