110 days, 95 arrests: Sirmaur police’s crusade against narcotics
In one of the most intensive anti-drug crackdowns, the Sirmaur district police have registered 65 cases and arrested 95 individuals between January 1 and April 19 this year — a span of just 110 days — under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. This large-scale and coordinated campaign reflects a focused effort to dismantle the supply chains of narcotics, deter drug trafficking networks and safeguard communities from the growing threat of substance abuse.
Among the 95 individuals arrested during this period, 72 are Himachal Pradesh residents, while 23 are from outside the state, indicating the infiltration of external peddlers into local drug circuits. The arrests include seven women, demonstrating that the illegal trade transcends gender and social boundaries, and law enforcement has spared no effort in bringing all culprits to justice.
The scale and variety of the drugs seized underscore the vastness of the challenge. From high-potency charas to heroin, opium, ganja, poppy husk, narcotic capsules, and intoxicating syrups, the recovered substances reveal a complex and widespread network of illegal drug activity in the district. Notably, seven of the total cases involved commercial quantities of drugs, which attract stricter legal consequences and longer prison terms under the NDPS Act.
One of the most significant recent arrests occurred yesterday in Paonta Sahib, where a man was found in possession of 112 gram of heroin (commonly known as chitta) by detection cell. Accused Junaid Khan, a resident of Baraili, Uttar Pradesh, was taken into custody immediately, and a formal case has been registered at Paonta Sahib police station under relevant sections of the NDPS Act. Today the accused was produced before the local court and five-day police remand was granted. This arrest highlights the vigilance of local police units under the leadership of Paonta Sahib Subdivisional Police Officer Manvendra Thakur and their ability to act swiftly on tip-offs and surveillance inputs.
Over the course of the 110-day campaign, the Sirmaur police confiscated a total of 18.262 kg charas, 1.035 kg of opium, 923 opium plants, 32.262 kg of poppy husk (chura post), 2.791 kg of ganja, 642.21 gram of heroin/chitta, 1,091 narcotic capsules and four bottles of intoxicating syrups. The highest number of cases — 25 — involved heroin/chitta, which also led to the arrest of 47 individuals, including six women. This indicates a worrying rise in the circulation of synthetic drugs and their increasing preference among users and peddlers alike.
Sirmaur SP Nishchint Singh Negi, while speaking about the district’s anti-narcotics drive, said: “The fight against narcotics is not just a matter of law enforcement, but a moral and social mission. Our young generation is under serious threat from the ever-growing drug trade, and we are committed to protecting their future. Every raid, every seizure, every arrest is a message that the police will not tolerate drug networks in our society. This 110-day performance is just the beginning. We will continue to strengthen our intelligence network, tighten enforcement, and ensure justice is delivered without compromise.”
Additional Superintendent of Police Yogesh Rolta also emphasised the importance of sustained community involvement in the fight against narcotics. “What makes this campaign truly effective is the growing public cooperation. People are no longer silent; they’re standing up, sharing information, and becoming active participants in crime prevention. That’s a powerful shift,” he said.
Apart from drug seizures and arrests, the Sirmaur police have made a considerable impact through financial enforcement. A total of Rs. 1,46,270 in drug money was seized directly from the accused during various raids. Additionally, in two separate financial investigations carried out as part of the anti-narcotics campaign, authorities were able to trace and freeze illegal assets worth Rs 95 lakh and Rs. 70 lakh, bringing the total value of seized and frozen illegal wealth to an unprecedented Rs 1.65 crore. This is not only a major economic blow to drug cartels operating in the region but also a warning to those trying to profit from the misery of addiction.
Behind these numbers lies a meticulously coordinated enforcement effort that involves not only regular police patrols and surprise checks but also intelligence-sharing with neighbouring districts, digital tracking of suspected offenders, and awareness-building at the grassroots level. The campaign has received active support from special task forces and beat constables, who have played a critical role in identifying hotspots, building informant networks, and keeping a constant watch over vulnerable areas like border towns, transport routes and urban pockets.
Community participation and public support have also played a vital role in the success of the operation. Local residents, especially in rural areas, have shown growing awareness and courage in reporting suspicious activities to the police, often anonymously. This reflects a positive shift in public sentiment toward collective action against drugs.
As the crackdown continues, the Sirmaur police department has made it clear that the campaign is far from over. With more raids planned, surveillance tightened, and inter-agency coordination enhanced, authorities are determined to make the district a model in Himachal Pradesh’s broader war against drugs.
The recent achievements by the Sirmaur police are not just a matter of statistics but a symbol of a larger, people-oriented fight for safety, dignity, and the health of future generations. In an environment where drug abuse has destroyed countless lives and families, the police’s resolve offers hope — that with willpower, coordination, and strong enforcement, even the most entrenched evils can be rooted out.
