LAHORE: To realize the Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s vision of a drug-free Punjab, Punjab police is conducting a vigorous crackdown across all districts of the province, including Lahore.
IG Punjab Dr. Usman Anwar said that during the special campaign 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, and 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.
The 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. The seized drugs included 76 kilograms
of charas and 612 liters of alcohol.
The IG Punjab has instructed RPOs and DPOs to personally oversee anti-narcotics operations, ensuring regular search and combing operations in drug hotspot areas. He emphasized the need for decisive action against those involved in the supply chain and online sale of drugs in educational institutions. The IG Punjab directed that suspects involved in inter-provincial and inter-district drug smuggling be brought to justice.