Targeted operations against drug peddlers intensified, says IGP

LAHORE: Punjab Police accelerated the crackdown on menace of drugs across the province in line with CM’s vision of ‘Drug-free Punjab’. Police force intensified targeted operations against drug peddlers in all districts of the province.

IG Punjab Dr Usman Anwar said that 399 raids were conducted on drug peddlers' hideouts across the province in a single day. As a result, 196 accused involved in the illicit trade were arrested, and 195 cases were registered. 116 kg of charas, two kg of heroin, one kg of ice, and 3,891 liters of alcohol were seized from the suspects.

IG Punjab said that over the past five months, police teams have conducted 38,259 raids on drug peddlers' hideouts across Punjab. During this period, 18,303 suspects involved in the drug trade were arrested and 17,798 cases were registered. The police seized 10,780 kg of charas, 57 kg of ice, 192 kg of heroin, 276 kg of opium, and over 1.7 million liters of alcohol from the suspects.

IG Punjab has directed the RPOs and DPOs to intensify intelligence-based operations against drug dealers and smugglers, instructing them to speed up anti-drug operations in hotspot areas using modern technology effectively.

He emphasised the need to continue daily search and combing operations around educational institutions and their surroundings. He also directed for indiscriminate actions against individuals involved in spreading drug abuse within educational institutions.