In Chandigarh, Punjab’s Finance Minister, Harpal Singh Cheema, announced an important victory in the fight against drugs. Authorities seized 2,240 liters of illegally obtained Extra Neutral Alcohol (ENA), which could have caused a serious drinking problem known as hooch tragedy. Cheema, who is also in charge of Excise and Taxation, reported that 4,745 drug-related cases have been filed, leading to the arrests of 7,536 people and the demolition of 71 properties used for drug dealing.
Cheema shared details of a successful operation where a police team caught a vehicle on the Sangrur-Dirba Highway. It had around 200 liters of illegal ethanol. The driver, Shaan Mohd., was arrested, and an investigation found a secret storage area with 34 large drums holding 2,040 liters of ENA. Another person, Armaan Mohd., was also arrested during the raid. Cheema explained that this operation prevented the production of nearly 10,000 bottles of illegal alcohol.
The campaign, named “Yudh Nashian Virudh,” has also led to the seizure of significant amounts of drugs, including 301 kg of heroin, 9,969 kg of poppy husk, 154 kg of opium, 96 kg of cannabis, and over 21 lakh tablets and capsules of banned drugs. He thanked Punjab’s citizens for their support in fighting against drugs and illegal liquor.
In another action, the Commissionerate Police of Jalandhar demolished illegal buildings used by drug traffickers in Lakhanpal village. This village has been known for drug-related issues. Just a day earlier, police in Moga, along with local officials, tore down four houses built illegally by drug traffickers in Daulewala village. Jalandhar Police Chief Dhanpreet Kaur explained that these illegal structures were used by drug dealers to escape during police raids. By removing them, they hope to make the village safer and reduce drug activity.
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