70 more arrested in drug cases

The Punjab Police on Monday arrested 70 drug peddlers in 48 cases from across the state, with two of them shot in the leg when they tried to escape from the police.

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The police have arrested 403 persons in drug cases in the past three days under the drive against narcotics.

A senior police official said they recovered 4.63 kg heroin, 500 gm ganja, 100 gm opium, 1,548 intoxicant tablets and Rs 1.32 lakh in cash from those arrested on Monday. The police also carried out search operations at eight jails, including the Patiala Central Jail.

“Our police teams thoroughly searched every nook and corner, including barracks, kitchens and toilets in the jails,” said Special DGP (Law and Order) Arpit Shukla.

Shukla said two drug peddlers were shot in the leg when they tried to escape from the police.

The Amritsar Rural police had arrested Jagtar Singh and Angrez Singh on Saturday, seizing one kg of methamphetamine and Rs 1.4 lakh in cash from their possession. Following disclosures by Jagtar Singh, a police team was taking him for the recovery of drugs when he attempted to escape from the police custody at Attari, prompting the police to open fire.

He was shot in the leg and provided immediate medical care. He said that in another operation, the Amritsar police apprehended a notorious drug smuggler, identified as Sahil, alias Neela, of Faizpura, after a brief exchange of fire.

Police teams were chasing the accused, when he opened fire at the police party, prompting them to retaliate, Shukla said, adding that they have recovered .32 bore pistol from him.