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India Gazette
2 days ago
- Health
- India Gazette
HP Police conducts anti-drug campaign in state, recover drugs; several cases registered
Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], June 3 (ANI): As per the instructions of the Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister, during the ongoing anti-drug campaign conducted by Himachal Pradesh Police, 10 cases have been registered against drug dealers in the state in the last 24 hours. Of these, 4 cases were registered in Kullu district, 2 in Bilaspur, 2 in Baddi, 1 in Shimla, and 1 in Dehra. According to a press release from Himachal Pradesh police, large quantities of hashish, opium, Chitta, and stolen poppy have been recovered. In these cases, a total of 78,820 illegal opium plants have been destroyed on the spot by the police in three cases registered at Banjar police station in Kullu. In the cases registered in Baddi, 40.148 kg of stolen poppy (poppy husk) were recovered from a local individual. Additionally, in the other two districts, 868.76 grams of Charas (cannabis) and 39.35 grams of Chitta (heroin) were recovered. Action is being taken against the accused involved in all the above 10 cases under the Narcotic Drugs Act, and the investigation of these cases is proceeding on a priority basis. The public is requested to provide any information related to drug abuse in the state to the police through the Drug Free Helpline 1908. This campaign by the Himachal Pradesh Police is an effort to break the supply chain of drugs and eliminate criminals' economic power. Earlier on Sunday, the Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) of the Delhi Police Crime Branch arrested a Nigerian national in connection with the possession and intended distribution of 282 grams of cocaine. The arrest was made during a targeted operation in the Old Mahabir Nagar area of Tilak Nagar, Delhi, following specific intelligence inputs. Deputy Commissioner of Police, ANTF (Crime Branch), Apoorva Gupta, stated that the accused, identified as David Leanne, was caught carrying a bag containing a yellow-coloured powdery substance. A field test conducted on-site by the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) team confirmed the substance to be cocaine, classified as a commercial quantity under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. A case has been registered under FIR at the Crime Branch Police Station, and further investigation is underway. (ANI)
Time of India
4 days ago
- Time of India
Delhi Police Special Cell arrests head constable for stealing Rs 51 lakh cash, jewellery
NEW DELHI: Delhi Police Special Cell has arrested Head Constable Khurshid for stealing approximately Rs 51 lakh in cash and valuable jewellery from their Maalkhana at Lodhi Road, while separately, the Anti-Narcotics Task Force apprehended a Nigerian national with 282 grams of cocaine in Tilak Nagar. The theft at the Special Cell's Maalkhana was discovered when Khurshid, who was recently transferred to East Delhi after being previously posted at the Maalkhana, escaped with the stolen items on Friday night. The Maalkhana in-charge quickly detected the theft, and authorities identified Khurshid through CCTV footage. The Special Cell team acted swiftly and arrested him on Saturday. In an unrelated case, the Delhi Police Crime Branch's Anti-Narcotics Task Force conducted a targeted operation in the Old Mahabir Nagar area of Tilak Nagar on Sunday, resulting in the arrest of David Leanne, a Nigerian national. The operation followed specific intelligence inputs and surveillance efforts led by ASI. The suspect was caught carrying a bag containing a yellow-colored powdery substance. "The accused, David Leanne, was caught carrying a bag containing a yellow-coloured powdery substance. A field test conducted on-site by the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) team confirmed the substance to be cocaine, classified as a commercial quantity under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act," stated Deputy Commissioner of Police, ANTF (Crime Branch), Apoorva Gupta. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Promoções imperdíveis de voos baratos Voos | Anúncios de Pesquisa Saiba Mais Undo The police have registered a case at the Crime Branch Police Station and are continuing their investigation into the cocaine seizure. The ANTF team's successful operation was the result of dedicated surveillance and intelligence gathering about a foreign national involved in cocaine distribution across the Delhi-NCR region.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Major success, but menace is not fully eliminated: Punjab DGP on anti-drug drive after 3 months of deadline
Chandigarh: Punjab director general of police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav on Saturday declared that 'Yudh Nashian De Virudh', a three-month-long anti-drug campaign, has achieved "major success," but acknowledged that the drug menace has not been completely eliminated and asserted that the crackdown will "continue relentlessly. " His remarks assume significance in light of chief minister Bhagwant Mann's directive on Feb 28 setting a three-month deadline to make Punjab drug-free. DGP Yadav said that enforcement efforts would persist with full force. He added that fresh and exhaustive lists of drug peddlers and suppliers are being prepared using inputs from district police, the intelligence wing, and the Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF), with targeted operations planned over the next 60 days. When asked during a press conference on Saturday whether Punjab could now be considered drug-free, Yadav responded: "I can say that drug availability in the state has reduced significantly. There are still pockets where drugs are available, but the earlier perception of easy access no longer holds true." "I cannot say drugs have been totally eliminated because it is a cyclical issue, but significant progress has been made," he added. He further stated that monitoring individuals released on bail is a key focus. "We have devised a system to monitor their activities by involving village elders and panchayats. Cancelling bail for repeat offenders remains a priority," he said. The Punjab Police are also exploring the use of GPS anklets to track the movements of major drug smugglers released on bail. "We are examining the proposal from a legal perspective to track and monitor the movements of bailed-out high-profile smugglers through GPS anklets, subject to approval by the competent court," Yadav noted. Highlighting the role of technology, DGP Yadav said Punjab was the first state in the country to develop the Punjab Artificial Intelligence System (PAIS) in 2019. A new AI-powered hierarchical database is now being developed to map individuals arrested under the NDPS Act and trace backward and forward linkages up to two levels for each case. After successful trials of advanced anti-drone systems along the India-Pakistan border—aimed at combating drone-based smuggling of narcotics, arms, and explosives—the Punjab govt has placed an order to deploy these systems. "These technologies are designed to detect, identify, and neutralise drones, and will significantly disrupt cross-border smuggling networks," he said. Yadav also revealed that the Punjab govt has approved a Rs 500 crore package for the upgradation and modernisation of prisons. Under this plan, each prison will be equipped with a de-addiction centre to provide treatment to inmates battling substance abuse. Since the launch of the campaign on March 1, 2025, Punjab Police registered 8,344 FIRs and arrested 14,734 drug offenders—including 13,038 peddlers and 1,696 listed suppliers/distributors. Due to strict enforcement, substantial seizures have been made, including 586 kg heroin, 247 kg opium, 14 tonne poppy husk, 9 kg charas, 253 kg ganja, 2.5 kg ICE, 1.6 kg cocaine, 25.70 lakh intoxicant pills/tablets and Rs 10.76 crore in drug money. During the 'Yudh Nashian De Virudh' campaign, illegal properties of 144 drug smugglers worth Rs 74.27 crore were frozen, and 104 illegally constructed properties were demolished by local authorities. DGP Yadav noted that the Punjab Police have adopted scientific investigation techniques including digital forensics and financial tracking. Of the 1,205 cases adjudicated during this period, 1,085 ended in conviction—resulting in a conviction rate of 90%, the highest in the country. He further stated that intelligence reports and informal surveys suggest a significant disruption in drug supply chains, leading to a 50% increase in street-level heroin prices and a 40% rise in synthetic drug prices. Repeated and targeted cordon and search operations (CASOs) have forced notorious smugglers to flee, weakening local networks and reducing operational capacity. The police also dealt a blow to drug finances by disrupting hawala networks. With the arrest of 48 major hawala operators and the seizure of Rs 10.76 crore, the economic foundations of many smuggling networks were effectively dismantled. Yadav lauded the Safe Punjab WhatsApp Chatbot (9779100200), calling it a "game-changer" for its confidentiality feature. The chatbot has received 7,635 tips, resulting in 1,596 FIRs and the arrest of 1,814 accused. Underscoring a compassionate approach, he said the Punjab Police treat drug users as patients, not criminals. Under Section 64-A of the NDPS Act, 1,121 individuals caught with small quantities were sent for de-addiction and rehabilitation. Additionally, 5,786 drug users were taken to de-addiction centres, and 6,483 were convinced to seek treatment at OOAT centres. In a new initiative, station house officers (SHOs) will personally engage with individuals released on bail, obtain written pledges to abstain from drugs, and offer medical assistance. Strict action will be taken against repeat offenders, Yadav warned. He also announced the Each One Adopt One programme, where every police officer—from the DGP downward—will adopt a drug user and help with their de-addiction and rehabilitation. "Starting with myself, each officer will voluntarily adopt one drug user, monitor their treatment, and motivate them. I encourage the public to do the same to help bring people back into the mainstream," he urged. Looking ahead, the DGP said village panchayats are being urged to assess the drug situation in their areas. Villages found to be free of drugs will be asked to declare themselves 'nasha mukt' (drug-free), while others will be encouraged to devise strategies to achieve the same. Citizens can report drug-related activities anonymously through the Safe Punjab Helpline: "9779100200".
The Print
29-05-2025
- The Print
Three cross-border drug smugglers arrested in Amritsar
Around 521 grams of heroin, four sophisticated pistols, seven magazines and 55 live cartridges were recovered from them, the official said. The arrested accused have been identified as Maninderjit Singh (26), a resident of Badowal village in Gurdaspur; Peter (22) and Lovejit Singh alias Raja (21), residents of Dharamkot Randhawa in Gurdaspur. Chandigarh, May 28 (PTI) Three drug traffickers linked to cross-border smuggling have been arrested from Amritsar by the Punjab Police's Anti-Narcotics Task Force, a senior official said on Wednesday. The police have also impounded two motorcycles, which they were using to deliver consignments. According to Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav, preliminary investigation has revealed that the accused were in touch with Europe- and Pakistan-based drug smugglers, and had been receiving narco and weapon consignments from across the border using drones. The Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) is actively pursuing both forward and backward linkages to dismantle the entire network. More arrests and recoveries are likely in the coming days, the DGP said. Sharing the operational details, ANTF Additional Director General of Police Nilabh Kishore said that the task force's Border Range Amritsar team had received credible inputs about the trio's involvement in trafficking narcotics and weapons from across the border. Acting swiftly on the inputs, police teams led by Gurpreet Singh, Superintendent of Police, ANTF Border Range Amritsar, launched an intelligence operation and apprehended the accused from near Shankar Dhaba on Attari Road, he said. PTI CHS RUK RUK This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
Time of India
28-05-2025
- Time of India
4 pistols, 55 live bullets, 500g heroin seized in Amritsar near Pakistan border; 3 arrested
Representative Image (AI) NEW DELHI: The Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF), Punjab, Border Range Amritsar, arrested three drug traffickers near Shankar Dhaba on Attari Road and seized a huge cache of arms and drugs. The arrested individuals have been identified as Maninderjit Singh, Peter and Lovejit Singh, also known as Raja, police said on Wednesday. Acting on a tip-off, officers seized four PX5 Storm pistols, 521 grams of heroin, seven magazines and 55 live cartridges. An FIR has been registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and the Arms Act at the ANTF police station in SAS Nagar. Punjab Police said the task force is pursuing both forward and backward linkages to dismantle the entire network. A day ago, a man was killed on Tuesday morning in a powerful explosion near Decent Avenue in Amritsar. Police suspect he was attempting to retrieve an explosive device planted by 'terror handlers'. Authorities are investigating possible links to terror groups such as Babbar Khalsa International. The victim, identified as Nitin, a man in his 20s from Chheharta and son of an auto driver, was believed to be a drug addict and likely a 'foot soldier' sent to collect the explosive as part of a cut-out module, where handlers share location images without direct contact. DIG (Border Range) Satinder Singh described the incident as a 'prima facie case of terrorism' and said circumstantial evidence suggested Nitin was trying to recover the explosive when it detonated. Items found in his pockets linked him to terrorist organisations and police noted a pole at the site appeared to mark the hiding spot of the device.
