Punjab: Anti-drug force recovered 85 kg heroin in the first month

Punjab: Since the formation of the Anti-Drug Task Force (ADTF) about a month ago, the Punjab Police has seized around 85 kg of heroin, the second-highest monthly seizure so far this year. The task force was formed on August 29 to mark the mid-term tenure of the Bhagwant Mann-led AAP government. It is a revised version of the Special Task Force (STF) against drugs. The ADTF has received more funds, intelligence units and personnel to tackle the drug menace. 908 suspects were arrested and 661 FIRs were registered in September. On an average, around 30 drug peddlers were caught and 22 FIRs were registered per day. The police had seized 119 kg of heroin in April, the highest in a month so far this year.

Drug trafficking has been a burning issue in the state for over a decade. The AAP government has been under pressure to curb the menace since June this year, when 14 youths died allegedly due to drug overdose. Apart from busting several gangs, the police have booked a DSP for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 45 lakh to release suspects in an NDPS case. Special DGP and ADTF chief Kuldeep Singh said they have effectively monitored the activities of drug peddlers. “While the supply lines have been affected after the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan, we have also intensified the crackdown and busted several smuggling networks. Last month alone, we have seized property worth Rs 49 crore of drug peddlers,” he said. The state police had recovered 1,360 kg of heroin last year, while 700 kg of heroin has been seized so far this year.