Lahore: In response to Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s directives, Punjab Police has escalated its operations against drug trafficking across the province as part of the Drug-Free Punjab campaign. Led by IG Punjab Dr. Usman Anwar, the intensified crackdown has resulted in significant arrests and seizures of narcotics.

According to Punjab Police, the recent surge in operations included 308 raids in a single day, targeting known drug dealers’ hideouts throughout Punjab, including Lahore. These actions led to the arrest of 153 suspects and the registration of 150 cases. Notably, police confiscated substantial quantities of illegal substances, including 110 kilograms of charas, 3 kilograms of heroin, and 1,327 liters of alcohol.

Since the campaign’s inception on February 26, law enforcement teams have executed a staggering 37,550 raids, resulting in the arrest of 17,933 individuals implicated in the narcotics trade. The extensive seizures included 10,518 kilograms of charas, 56 kilograms of Ice, 190 kilograms of heroin, 276 kilograms of opium, and over 1.7 million liters of alcohol.

IG Punjab Dr. Anwar has issued orders to further intensify intelligence-based operations against narcotics dealers and traffickers, emphasizing the need for regional police officers (RPOs) and district police officers (DPOs) to personally oversee these efforts. He stressed the importance of sustaining regular search and combing operations in areas known for drug activity and called for rigorous action against individuals distributing drugs within educational institutions.

Dr. Anwar also highlighted the priority to tackle inter-provincial drug trafficking with stringent legal actions to ensure that offenders face severe penalties under the law. This robust approach underscores the Punjab government’s commitment to eradicating drug-related activities and promoting a safer environment for its citizens.