Properties worth Rs 90 crore of 71 smugglers attached in 15 months
Setting a record of sorts and giving a big blow to the drug smuggling network, the Ludhiana Police Commissionerate has attached properties worth Rs 89.85 crore of as many as 71 drug smugglers in the past 15 months. It is stated to be the highest seizure of properties of smugglers in any Police Commissionerate or district police in the state.
Not only this, a proposal to attach properties worth crores of rupees has already been sent for approval to the Competent Authority, New Delhi.
Pertinently, Ludhiana, also known as the industrial hub of the state, had earned a dubious distinction of operating drug cartels from the city run by international drug lord Akshay Chhabra.
Chhabra, the kingpin, was first arrested at the Jaipur International Airport while attempting to flee to Sharjah, UAE, in November 2022 by the NCB. His syndicate was busted with the arrest of 21 individuals, including traffickers and two Afghan nationals. He sourced heroin from Afghanistan in cans of tomato sauce or bottles of pomegranate juice imported by Indian traders from Iran. The NCB had also seized property, luxury cars worth crores owned by Chhabra in Ludhiana.
Confirming the development to The Tribune here on Wednesday, Commissioner of Police Swapan Sharma said sustained efforts to curb drug smuggling and busting of drug networks were the reason the commissionerate achieved this huge success by attaching property worth Rs 89.85 crore of 71 drug smugglers.
“The Ludhiana police adopt zero tolerance against drugs. Now, whenever police arrest any smuggler, property or other illegal assets if any made by smugglers with drug money are being sent for attachment before the Competent Authority, Delhi, under the provisions of Chaper 5 of the NDPS Act. Property worth several crores is also pending for approval, “ the CP said.
Properties attached in 2024
In 2024, properties of as many as 66 smugglers worth Rs 85.73 crore were attached. Suspects arrested by the police were involved in smuggling of heroin, opium, poppy husk and other drugs. They were arrested by the Police Division 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, PAU, Dehlon, Salem Tabri, Jamalpur, Ladhowal, Sarabha Nagar, Model Town, Haibowal, Sadar, Sahnewal, Koom Kalan, Tibba, Daresi, Focal Point, Meharban, Daresh, Jodhewal, Moti Nagar, Dugri and Shimlapuri police stations.
Properties freezed in 2025
As per data, properties of five smugglers worth Rs 4.12 crore were attached by the Police Commissionerate. They were arrested by Sarabha Nagar, Dehlon, Salem Tabri, Shimlapuri and Ladhowal police stations.
345 peddlers held in anti-drug operation
The Ludhiana police crackdown on drugs led to the arrest of 345 alleged drug peddlers and registered 235 cases under the NDPS Act since January 1, 2025. The police recovered substantial quantities of narcotics, including 11.5 kg of opium, 93 kg of poppy husk, 2.22 kg of charas, 23 g of cocaine, 21.15 kg of ganja, 8.547 kg of heroin, 357 gm of ICE (crystal meth), 27 kg of poppy husk plant, and 11,467 intoxicant pills and capsules. Drug money amounting to ?5.95 lakh were also seized during raids.
Ludhiana