In crackdown on drug trade, 8,935 peddlers held in ’24: IG
The state police arrested as many as 8,935 drug smugglers and suppliers, including 210 big fish after registering 12,255 FIRs in 2024.
This was revealed by IG Sukhchain Singh Gill while addressing a year-ender briefing on Tuesday.
He said police teams recovered 1,099 kg heroin, 991 kg opium, 414 quintals poppy husk and 2.94 lakh tablets, capsules, injections and vials of pharma opioids from across the state. Besides, Rs 14.73 crore drug money had been recovered, he said.
Bathinda witnessed the registration of maximum number of 601 drug smuggling cases followed by Nawanshahr (572) and Patiala (531) in 2024. The IG said the police also forfeited 531 properties worth Rs 335 crore of big smugglers this year. He said 71 drug consumers, caught with little quantity of drugs, availed relaxation under Section 64-A of the NDPS by pledging to go for rehab, he added.
Listing achievements, Gill said, "From the series of attacks on police establishments to high-profile killings of Hindu leader Vikas Bagga at Nangal and ex-terrorist Ratandeep Singh, the state police left no stone unturned in bringing the perpetrators to justice."
Other notable cases solved included the hand grenade attack at a house in Sector 10, Chandigarh and at a petrol station in Mansa; besides the triple murder case in Ferozepur.
Gill said as part of the ongoing drive against proclaimed offenders and absconders under the NDPS cases, the police arrested 843 accused in 2024.
Recounting success against gangsters, the IG said the Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) along with field units succeeded in busting 198 modules by arresting 559 gangsters/criminals and seized 482 weapons, 102 vehicles, 7 Kg heroin and Rs 2.14 crore drug money from their possession. At least 64 exchanges of fire took place between police parties and criminals, during which three gangsters/criminals were neutralised and 63 arrested.
“Unfortunately, one of our colleagues attained martyrdom while nine police personnel suffered injuries,” Gill said. Providing details on action against terrorists, the officer said the Internal Security Wing busted 12 modules with the arrest of 66 terrorists.
It also seized two rifles, 76 revolvers and pistols, two improvised explosive devices (IEDs), 758 grams of RDX and other explosives, four hand grenades and 257 drones.
