Special DGP, CP search 26 houses of drug smugglers at Talwandi Kalan

Special DGP Gurpreet Deo along with Commissioner of Police (CP) Swapan Sharma, accompanied by a huge force, conducted a cordon and search operation (CASO) at Talwandi Kalan village in Ladhowal in the wee hours of Wednesday. The search operation was conducted in 26 houses of smugglers who had been facing multiple drug cases.

Three smugglers were arrested and recovery of drugs was also made.

The action was taken under the state government’s ‘War against drugs’ campaign.

Special DGP Gurpreet Deo said since the start of the campaign against drugs, the Ludhiana police had demolished illegal properties of 14 drug smugglers in Ludhiana, including two at this village. Over 570 cases of drug trafficking were also registered since March 1 and 700 drug traffickers were also sent to jail. Even property of smugglers worth Rs 3.5 crore was also freezed by the police, which they garnered through proceeds of drug money.

CP Swapan Sharma said besides taking action against the smugglers, the police were also admitting drug addicts to the de-addiction centre for treatment so that they could start a new life. With the help of the government, after providing treatment, the addicts would also be given employment.

He claimed that after nabbing the smugglers, the Ludhiana police also actively pursue cases in court so that they get maximum punishment. In fact, the police had achieved 92 per cent conviction rate in drug cases and in coming months, the conviction rate would be hundred per cent in Ludhiana.

“After a smuggler comes out on bail, the police get information and the police station concerned head and other crime wing head of the Ludhiana police keep a tab over the activity of the smuggler and nab him if he was found indulging in peddling again,” the CP said.

Many flee hideouts as police tighten noose

Over 50 officials posted at various police stations of the region falling under the Ludhiana (rural) police district carried out a massive cordon and search operation (CASO) at localities already identified as hotspots for drugs at Pakhowal village and surrounding localities.

Special DGP Anita Punj, SSP Ludhiana (Rural) and DSP (D) Inderjit Singh Boparai supervised the operation.

Though exact quantities of drugs and narcotics were seized during the operation and many suspects were rounded up, several drug peddlers seemed to be on the run as many had fled after locking their homes and hideouts. The number of rounded miscreants was yet to be revealed officially.

Special teams of police officials, supervised by a gazetted officer, were assigned predefined localities for the operation against drug peddlers and their sympathisers by Ludhiana (rural) SSP Ankur Gupta on Wednesday morning.