Chandigarh, April 24: The Punjab government has reported a significant escalation in its campaign against narcotics, with heroin seizures rising by 148 percent between 2022 and 2026 compared to the previous four-year block. Official data released Thursday indicates that law enforcement agencies recovered 5,979 kg of heroin under the current administration, a sharp increase from the 2,412 kg seized between 2017 and 2021.
This surge in recoveries is part of a broader upward trend in enforcement metrics across the state. Authorities registered 73,541 cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act during the current period, representing a 40 percent increase over the 52,255 cases documented in the preceding term. Arrests followed a similar trajectory, climbing nearly 45 percent to reach 98,596 individuals.
Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav affirmed that the statistics represent a fundamental change in the state’s approach to organized crime. This is not just an increase in enforcement activity, it is a structural shift in how the drug menace is being tackled, Yadav stated. He maintained that the rise in cases reflects deeper, intelligence-led targeting of networks while noting that cases are being carried through to the final judicial stages more effectively.
The crackdown has also impacted the supply of synthetic and pharmaceutical drugs. Seizures of crystal methamphetamine, commonly known as ice, increased fourfold from 17 kg to 93 kg. Additionally, officials reported the recovery of 8.7 crore tablets and capsules, aimed at disrupting the distribution of pharmaceutical intoxicants among the youth.
Judicial outcomes have improved alongside the increase in arrests. The conviction rate for drug-related offenses reached 89 percent in the current period. Yadav declared that there is sustained pressure across the entire chain, from suppliers to distributors, asserting that the strategy remains focused on the long-term disruption of drug networks.
