Cops crack down on drug traffickers, bootleggers ahead of MC by-polls

In a 24-hour crackdown ahead of the upcoming MC by-elections, the Delhi Police launched an extensive, citywide operation under Operation Kavach 11.0, targeting drug traffickers, bootleggers and organised crime groups.

The drive, carried out from 6 pm on November 24 to 6 pm on November 25, involved coordinated action at 1,566 locations across all 15 districts, with units from local police stations, the Crime Branch and the Special Cell working together.

During the operation, 80 alleged drug peddlers were arrested in 76 NDPS cases.

The police said it seized 282.71 gm heroin, over 19 kg ganja, 2.147 kg opium, 2.034 kg charas, 4,704 tramadol capsules and Rs 1,02,660 in cash.

The crackdown, officials added, was part of Delhi Police’s intensified campaign in line with the Centre’s “zero tolerance” stance on narcotics.

Enforcement under the Delhi Excise Act resulted in 273 arrests, along with the recovery of 911 liquor bottles, 41,704 quarters, 17 beer bottles and 57 beer cans.

The police detained 1,500 people found drinking in public.

Action under the Arms Act led to 100 arrests in 99 cases, with the seizure of a pistol, 13 country-made weapons, several cartridges and 87 knives.

Meanwhile, 213 people were arrested in Gambling Act cases, and Rs 2.37 lakh was recovered.

The crackdown also saw the arrest of 24 proclaimed offenders and 16 auto-lifters, as well as the recovery of 23 stolen vehicles. A total of 2,405 vehicles were impounded under the Delhi Police Act. Another 542 people were booked under preventive sections of the BNSS, while 2,516 were taken into preventive custody.

Over 23,000 individuals were detained under Section 65 of the DP Act, and 4,857 people were penalised for COTPA violations.

Among the significant breakthroughs were the dismantling of a tramadol distribution chain in Narela, the arrest of two Nepalese nationals with 2 kg charas in Sarita Vihar, and the recovery of nearly 2 kg opium and 109 gm heroin from two suspects in Ghazipur.