War on drugs campaign: Peddlers’ properties worth Rs 6 crore attached in Patiala, 500 addicts in rehab centres

As part of its “War on Drugs”, the police have attached alleged peddlers’ properties worth Rs 6 crore and admitted more than 500 addicts in drug de-addiction centers. Besides, more than 2,000 addicts have been admitted to Outpatient Opioid Assisted Treatment (OOAT) centers.

“The fact that many of these addicts have recovered and given up on drugs is a satisfaction for us and also the parents,” police officials said.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Varun Sharma said while the police was showing goodwill, there was no leniency being shown against drug peddlers.

“We have managed to break the supply chain of drugs by taking strong action against drug peddlers. We have registered 93 cases in this month and put 100 drug peddlers behind bars”, he said.

“Since the ‘War on Drugs’ campaign began, action has been taken to attach property worth about Rs 6 crore of 16 drug peddlers. While action has been taken against five other big fish and action has been initiated to attach their properties,” the SSP further said,

He noted that Patiala police had a conviction rate of 95 per cent when it comes to drug smugglers.

Around 250 cases have been registered based on the information received on the Safe Punjab Anti-Drug Helpline 97791-00200.

From January 1 to September 30, 781 cases were registered under the NDPS Act and 1,065 drug smugglers have been arrested and a large quantity of drugs and Rs. 16,69,100 have been recovered. Another 376 cases have been registered under the Excise Act and 406 people have been arrested.

The SSP further revealed that the campaign against drugs has received a good response from the people and the war on drugs campaign has won the trust of the people. “Many people have reached out to us

and their children have come out of the swamp of drugs by escaping from bad company. Due to the people joining us, it has become a mass campaign”, he added.