Punjab Police has devised a multi-pronged strategy to counter the problems of drug abuse and peddling of narcotic substances in the State.
Punjab DGP Suresh Arora on Thursday chaired a high-level meeting of zonal IGs and Police Commissioners at the Punjab Police Academy here to review the progress of
drive against drug smuggling. He directed the police personnel to identify the narcotic smugglers in the state and initiate immediate legal action against them.
Arora asked his officials to adopt a “zero tolerance policy” to check sale of narcotics and psychotropic substances.
A special campaign will be launched to apprehend the proclaimed offenders and parole jumpers in cases related to the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, wherein their movable and immovable properties will be attached as per law.
Two new ‘Special Operations Cells’ under intelligence wing of Punjab Police will be formed to tackle drug smuggling in Mohali and Ferozepur districts.
With one such unit already functioning in Amritsar, the new units “will help contain multi-modal and multi-layered smuggling activities.”
The DGP has asked his officers to ensure filing of chargesheets within the stipulated time and depute officers for helping trial courts in expeditious conclusion of the cases.
The DGP asked police officers to take prominent citizens of their respective areas including members of Panchayats, Municipal Councilors, members of NGO’s/ voluntary organizations in confidence for identifying persons involved in smuggling/peddling of drugs besides motivating the common masses to come forward in wiping out the curse of drugs from Punjab. Arora underlined the need to create awareness about `10,000 reward for providing drugs-related information.
Emphasizing the need to launch a vigorous educational campaign especially in schools and colleges making students aware of various ill dimensions of drug addiction and consumption, the DGP asked them to set up ‘Anti-drug Societies’ in such institutions.
Punjab Police during year 2015 recovered 428.8 Kgs of heroin out of which 121 Kgs had been handed by BSF to it. Besides this, 11 kg smack, 75.5 kg charas, 401.8 Kgs of opium and 35291 kgs of poppy husk have been recovered by the state police.During the year a total number of 10178 cases regarding NDPS Act have been registered and
12193 persons arrested. The conviction rate in such case during the year 2015 was 78 per cent.