Kapurthala, May 8: The Kapurthala district police have reported a 288 percent increase in drug-related arrests as part of a sustained mission to eliminate narcotics trafficking in the region. Between March 1, 2025, and April 30, 2026, law enforcement officials apprehended 1,867 suspects, compared to just 481 in the prior reporting cycle.
This surge in arrests coincided with a dramatic rise in the volume of illicit substances removed from the streets. Heroin seizures rose from 10.6 kg to 30.4 kg, while recoveries of synthetic drugs like ICE and charas—previously negligible—began to appear in official records. Authorities stated that these figures are the result of intelligence-led operations targeting both urban centers and rural hubs.
“Under the leadership of the Punjab Government and Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, the ‘Yudh Nasheyan Virudh’ campaign has enabled a focused and aggressive crackdown on narcotics,” SSP Gaurav Toora declared.
The department’s strategy has increasingly shifted toward financial enforcement to ensure traffickers cannot profit from their crimes. Police have successfully frozen drug-related assets totaling ₹8.60 crore. Officials affirmed that this dual approach, which combines criminal prosecution with the seizure of financial assets, is designed to permanently dismantle the drug ecosystem.
Other narcotics saw similar trends in seizure data. Opium recoveries increased by 68 percent, and poppy husk confiscations jumped by more than 280 kg compared to the pre-campaign period. Intoxicant tablets and capsules also saw an 89 percent rise in seizures.
“Every effort is being made to eliminate the drug menace and safeguard the youth of Punjab,” the SSP noted during the briefing. He maintained that the police would continue to identify interstate linkages to prevent the flow of contraband into the district.
