Punjab Turns Tide On Drugs As Mann Government Seizes Rs 2,730 Crore, Arrests Over 85,000 Smugglers

During a high-level law and order review in Chandigarh, Bhagwant Singh Mann said Punjab is witnessing a decisive shift in its long battle against drugs. Over the last three and a half years, police have arrested 85,418 drug smugglers. This marks a clear break from the past. The Chief Minister said political interference has been completely eliminated. Enforcement is now driven purely by law. The focus has moved from announcements to outcomes.

What Makes ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ A Game Changer?

The Chief Minister highlighted the ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ campaign launched on March 1, 2025. Since its launch, 30,144 FIRs have been registered and 40,302 smugglers arrested. In total, 63,053 drug cases have been registered since the government took office. Mann said this was Punjab’s first large-scale, sustained anti-drug drive. The impact is now visible on the ground. Drug supply chains have been disrupted significantly.

How Strong Is The Enforcement Strategy?

Punjab adopted a three-pillar strategy based on enforcement, de-addiction and prevention. Crackdowns targeted suppliers and organised networks instead of small users. Over 5,119 kg heroin, 3,458 kg opium, 5.82 kg cocaine and 82 kg Ice were seized. Police also recovered nearly Rs 52.46 crore in drug money. The approach focused on dismantling entire networks. This shifted enforcement to higher levels of trafficking.

Why Is Financial Action A Major Deterrent?

One of the strongest messages came through financial investigations. Properties worth over Rs 2,730 crore linked to drug smugglers were frozen between 2022 and 2025. More than 1,400 proposals for freezing illegal assets were confirmed. Mann said drug crime profits will no longer sustain narcotics networks. Cutting financial roots weakened organised smuggling. This deterrence changed the risk calculation for criminals.

Do Conviction Rates Prove Systemic Change?

Strong investigation and prosecution improved conviction outcomes under the NDPS Act. Over 25,000 cases were decided by courts, with more than 21,600 convictions. The overall conviction rate now stands near 84 percent. In 2025 alone, it touched around 88 percent. Mann credited better forensic support and legal follow-up. Technology-based policing strengthened case preparation.

How Did Citizens And Technology Contribute?

Public participation played a critical role through the SAFE Punjab WhatsApp chatbot. Nearly 30,000 actionable tips were received. These led to over 11,000 FIRs and around 14,000 arrests. The conversion rate stood at 38 percent. Mann said this reflects growing public trust. Drone-based smuggling was also tackled aggressively. Hundreds of drones were intercepted, especially in 2025.

Is Organised Crime Also Being Cornered?

The crackdown extended beyond drugs to organised crime. From January 1 to December 17, 2025, the Punjab Police arrested 916 gangsters. Thirteen dreaded criminals were neutralised. Police busted 389 gang modules. A total of 594 weapons were recovered. Mann said 2025 became a year of reckoning. Criminal networks now face relentless pressure from the state.