Drug peddler’s house demolished

Continuing with their drive against drug peddlers, the city police on Friday demolished the house of a drug trafficker, identified as Sandeep Singh, alias Laddi, of Guru Ki Wadali village falling under the Chheharta police station here.

He was currently lodged in the Amritsar Central Jail and faced nine criminal cases, three of them under the NDPS Act and three under the Arms Act.

Sharing details, Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar said Sandeep was actively involved in drug trafficking for a long time now. He had several cases of serious heinous offences, including the NDPS Act, registered against him.

He said the operation was part of the concerted drive against drug peddling launched by the Punjab Government in March this year.

He said as per investigation, he had acquired the house, which was demolished by the district administration with the help of the police, with the ill-gotten money earned through drug smuggling. He said civic body authorities had said that the house was constructed illegally.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Alam Vijay Singh said the accused had been involved in drug trafficking for the past three years.

The family members of the accused, however, alleged that the administration and the police did not give them notice before demolishing the property.

The police said the action was taken after following all due legal procedure and on the request of the municipal corporation.

The police Commissioner warned those involved in the drug trade, stating that individuals who are destroying the lives of Punjab’s youth with the poison of drugs will face strict legal action without any leniency. He reaffirmed that properties illegally acquired through drug money will continue to be targeted and demolished.

He urged the public to come forward and share any information about drug smugglers with the police. The identity of informants will be kept completely confidential and exemplary action will be taken to set a deterrent precedent.