Phillaur, July 22 — Punjab’s anti-drug campaign has led to over 22,000 arrests and a 90% conviction rate in narcotics cases since March 1, Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav said Monday, while reviewing law and order in the state during a high-level meeting at the Maharaja Ranjit Singh Punjab Police Academy (MRS-PPA), Phillaur.
Sharing the outcomes of the ongoing Yudh Nashian Virudh (War Against Drugs) campaign, Yadav said the state police registered 14,281 FIRs and arrested 22,772 individuals on drug-smuggling charges in less than five months. “We have recovered 940 kilograms of heroin, 337 kilograms of opium, 18 tonnes of poppy husk, and significant quantities of other narcotics,” he told senior officers.
Alongside the haul, ₹11.84 crore in alleged drug proceeds was seized, and 162 illegally constructed properties linked to smugglers were demolished. The campaign has also seen a technological and community engagement shift with the introduction of the ‘Safe Punjab’ WhatsApp chatbot portal.
“The chatbot has emerged as a game-changer,” Yadav said. “Its anonymity feature has encouraged citizens to share actionable intelligence. About 30% of the tips received have translated into FIRs—3,671 in total—leading to 4,872 arrests since March.”
The helpline, he said, is designed to be anonymous, accessible, and non-judgmental, offering support not only to individuals battling addiction but also empowering citizens to report drug dealers and related criminal activity.
Yadav credited the state’s strong legal strategy for the 90% conviction rate under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. “This legal success sends a strong message to those involved in drug trafficking,” he added.
The meeting in Phillaur drew participation from top-ranking officers including Special DGPs Arpit Shukla (Law and Order) and Praveen Sinha (Intelligence), ADGPs Nilabh Kishore (Anti-Narcotics Task Force) and Promod Ban (Anti-Gangster Task Force), as well as IGP Sukhchain Singh Gill and PPA director Anita Punj.
The broader security review also included updates on organised crime, gangster activity, and Pakistan-sponsored terrorism. “We have traced all major gangster-related and organised crime cases and achieved 100% resolution in terror cases,” Yadav told the gathering.
Senior officers addressed field units on evolving threats, including cross-border narcotics supply chains, smuggling networks, and extremist links. According to police, tackling these challenges will remain central to maintaining internal security and public trust.
“The work is far from over,” Yadav said, urging officers to remain vigilant. “But we are moving in the right direction, with public support and focused enforcement.”
