Punjab Government’s Crackdown on Drug Menace Leads to 1,485 Arrests, Says Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema

• Mar 12, 2025

Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema on Tuesday announced that the Punjab government's ongoing crackdown against drug trafficking has resulted in 1,485 arrests, with the police registering 1,072 cases in the last 11 days.

Speaking on the progress of the anti-drug campaign, Cheema stated that the authorities have demolished properties belonging to 26 individuals involved in drug trafficking. These individuals had allegedly amassed assets worth crores of rupees through illegal smuggling and illicit drug trade.

Statewide Crackdown Launched on March 1

The Punjab government initiated this large-scale crackdown on March 1, following Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s directive to eradicate narcotics from the state within three months. To ensure rigorous monitoring, the government also formed a sub-committee comprising Cabinet ministers to oversee and evaluate the campaign's progress.

During the operation, law enforcement agencies have so far seized:

• 76 kg of heroin
• 50 kg of opium
• Rs 50 lakh in cash from drug peddlers
• 7 lakh intoxicating tablets
• 950 kg of poppy husk

Cheema Slams Previous Governments for Protecting Drug Smugglers

Cheema accused previous governments of shielding drug traffickers instead of taking decisive action against them. He contrasted their inaction with the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government’s strong measures and highlighted a sharp rise in the conviction rate under AAP’s tenure.

He revealed that the conviction rate in NDPS (Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances) cases has significantly increased to 86% under the AAP government, compared to:

• 58% under the Congress regime
• A mere 40% during the SAD-BJP government

In some districts, the conviction rate has reportedly reached as high as 90%, he added.

Taking a direct dig at former Chief Minister Amarinder Singh, Cheema accused him of making false promises about eradicating drugs while instead providing political protection to smugglers. He further alleged that previous governments had deliberately conspired to push Punjab’s youth into drug addiction for their vested interests.

With the three-month anti-drug deadline set by CM Bhagwant Mann, the Punjab government is determined to intensify the crackdown and take firm action against those involved in drug trafficking.