City sees dip in number of NDPS cases

Amit Sharma
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, December 11

This year, the city has witnessed a dip in the number of NDPS cases registered by the UT police for possessing and smuggling drugs. However, there has been an increase in the recovery of capsules, tablets, poppy husk and banned vials as compared to last year.

While 244 persons were arrested with drugs in 2017, only 162 persons have been arrested this year till December 10. The police have attributed the dip in the number of NDPS cases to their crackdown on the drug trade.

According to official figures, last year, 240 NDPS cases were registered, while the number of cases this year is 157 only.

For the police, less number of cases are an indication of less number people getting involved in the drug trade.

DSP (Crime) Pawan Kumar said drug peddlers arrested in the past few years, especially during 2017, had led to a fall in the drug trade. “Most peddlers are lodged in jail, which has helped in breaking the drug suppy chain in the city,” the DSP said.

He said though the arrests were less this year, the recovery drugs was more in comparison to last year.

Police sources said apart from drug peddlers, a large number of drug addicts also fell in the police net for possessing drugs. “Among those arrested, many are only drug addicts,” the sources said. 

The sources said addiction to banned vials was more among people from different age groups residing on the periphery and colony areas of the city.

The drug peddlers get banned injections from Ambala for around Rs 25 per injection, which is sold between Rs 250 and Rs 300 in the city.

“The sale of vials in the city has increased in the past few years,” said a police official. 

Earlier this year, women drug peddlers were also nabbed by the UT police.  In August, drug peddler Poonam was nabbed with 270 gm of heroin, 200 banned injections and Rs 6 lakh. Poonam had a well-knit drug nexus and several cases registered against her in Chandigarh. Earlier in July, Nirmala, alias Nimmo, was arrested by the Chandigarh Police with 30 gm of heroin and 30 banned injections. She also has several cases registered against her. 

162 held this year

While 244 persons were arrested with drugs in 2017, only 162 persons have been held this year till December 10. The police attributed the dip in the number of cases to their crackdown on the drug trade. According to official figures, last year, 240 drug cases were registered, while the number of cases this year is 157 only.