Lahore: The Punjab Police have significantly ramped up their anti-drug operations across the province, aligning with Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s vision for a Drug-Free Punjab. The intensified crackdown, led by IG Punjab Dr. Usman Anwar, has resulted in substantial narcotics seizures and the dismantling of drug networks, particularly in Lahore.

According to Punjab Police, in a single day, officers conducted 295 raids on suspected drug dens, arresting 144 individuals involved in the narcotics trade and registering 145 new cases. These operations led to the seizure of 90 kilograms of charas, 4 kilograms of heroin, and 997 liters of liquor. Since the campaign’s inception in February 2024, the police have conducted 45,446 raids, arrested 21,722 suspects, and seized large quantities of drugs, including over 1.742 million liters of liquor.

Dr. Usman Anwar has ordered an escalation of efforts against drug trafficking, focusing on the sale, online distribution, and consumption of modern narcotics. He emphasized the importance of conducting regular search and combing operations near educational institutions and hostels to prevent drug proliferation among youth. The IG Punjab also highlighted the necessity of targeting inter-provincial and inter-district drug smuggling networks, ensuring that perpetrators face strict legal consequences.