Drug cases down to half in Ferozepur this year

A large-scale crackdown on drug peddlers operating in this border district, which had become one of the biggest transit points for cross-border smuggling, has led to a significant drop in the number of cases registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act this year.

As per the details available, the police arrested 317 drug peddlers in 244 cases this year and recovered 63 kg of heroin, 214 kg of poppy husk, 12 kg of opium, 1.4 kg of ganja, 14,700 intoxicating capsules and Rs 1.11 lakh in drug money from them. Last year, the police had arrested 719 persons in 579 drug cases and recovered 89 kg of heroin, 235 kg of poppy husk, 13 kg of opium, 10,749 intoxicating tablets and capsules, 590 gm of intoxicating powder, 147 kg of bhang and Rs 43,52,135 in drug money.

SSP Saumya Mishra said they made 283 preventive arrests and adopted a multi-pronged strategy to curb the drug menace this year, which paid dividends.

The police also arrested 205 persons in 173 cases under the Excise Act and recovered 8,351 litre of liquor, 4,584 litre of illicit liquor and 1,27,017 litre of ‘lahan’ (country-made liquor). “Special operations were carried out at places where illicit liquor was stocked and seven such illicit distillers were also unearthed,” said the SSP.

While talking to The Tribune, the SSP said to bring the crime graph down in the district, separate teams were formed for different operations. “Not only regular vigilance, the use of technology, forensic science and modern tools also helped us in reducing the crime rate. Special teams keep eye on criminals coming out of jail on bail or completion of sentence,” said Mishra, adding that special quick reaction teams and PCR units kept a hawk’s eye in the region. Special nakas were laid at the entry and exit points of the district. The enhanced vigil not only reduced drug peddling cases but incidents of illegal mining too.

“Last year, 131 persons were arrested in 108 illegal mining cases wherein 1,09,985 sq ft of sand, 72 tippers, 10 JCB machines and 24 tractor-trolleys were recovered. This year, only 36 cases of illegal sand mining have been reported and 48 persons arrested. The police recovered 2,898 sq ft of sand, 34 tippers, 45 JCB machines and a tractor-trolley,” said the SSP.

The police recovered 79 pistols, two revolvers and guns each, 45 magazines and 245 live cartridges following arrest of 64 persons in 34 cases registered under the Arms Act.

“Police officials who performed their duty diligently were rewarded with cash prizes and acknowledgement from the DGP himself, which boosted the morale of the entire force,” said Mishra.

The police also initiated various outreach programmes to curb drug menace. “We have been organising camps in villages and schools to raise awareness on the ill-effects of drug abuse. Under the ‘Navekali Pehal’ project, the police encouraged village woman folk to share information with the police in case any of their family member was involved in either peddling or consumption of drugs,” said the SSP. “We received valuable information, which helped us in nabbing drug peddlers, without disclosing the names of the informers,” added the SSP.