Jalandhar, March 19: The Jalandhar Rural Police intensified their anti-drug campaign on Thursday with a large-scale cordon and search operation (CASO) targeting identified hotspots, including Naharpur village. Led by ADGP MF Farooqui and SSP Harvinder Singh Virk, the drive involved 125 personnel who conducted synchronized checks at locations linked to narcotics distribution and related criminal activities.
Police officials stated that the ongoing offensive has resulted in the arrest of 187 individuals between March 1 and March 18. During this period, the department conducted 402 raids and registered 104 cases under the NDPS Act. Recoveries included 522 grams of heroin, 20 kg of poppy husk, and nearly 2,000 intoxicating tablets, alongside a significant amount of drug money and various firearms.
ADGP Farooqui declared that the department is pairing enforcement with community engagement to reduce the menace of substance abuse. He noted that the police are actively organizing public meetings to spread awareness while maintaining a zero-tolerance policy toward smugglers. Authorities also affirmed that six illegal properties belonging to drug traffickers, valued at approximately ₹1.50 crore, have been demolished, with seven more cases pending approval for similar action.
The police have also prioritized rehabilitation as part of the initiative. Officials asserted that 140 individuals were admitted to de-addiction centers, while 374 others were sent to Outpatient Opioid Assisted Treatment (OOAT) centers this month. The operation, supervised by senior officers including SP Mukesh Kumar, aims to dismantle the logistical networks of drug modules operating within the Kartarpur sub-division and surrounding rural areas.
