LAHORE - Punjab Police have arrested 26,267 alleged drug peddlers and registered 25,243 cases across the province during the current year as part of an intensified campaign against narcotics under the Punjab government’s “Drug-Free Punjab” initiative. According to a Punjab Police spokesperson, the operations led to the recovery of 13,324 kilograms of charas, 1,251 kilograms of heroin, 870 kilograms of ice (crystal methamphetamine), 557 kilograms of opium and more than 379,000 litres of liquor from the possession of the accused. The spokesperson said the campaign is being carried out in line with Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s vision of a “Drug-Free Punjab.” Inspector General of Police (IGP) Punjab Abdul Kareem has directed police officers to further intensify operations against major drug traffickers, smugglers and those involved in the narcotics supply chain across the province. In Lahore alone, police arrested 3,746 alleged drug peddlers during the current year and registered 3,631 cases.
During these operations, police recovered 1,345 kilograms of charas, 88 kilograms of heroin, 367 kilograms of ice, 37 kilograms of opium and 17,541 litres of liquor. The IGP directed police to ensure that all individuals involved in the drug supply chain are brought to justice and prosecuted under the law. He also ordered an intensified crackdown on drug trafficking in and around educational institutions and student hostels. Abdul Kareem further instructed law enforcement authorities to take strict legal action against individuals involved in the online sale and purchase of narcotics, reaffirming the force’s commitment to eliminating drug trafficking and protecting young people from the menace of drugs.
(The Nation)
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