Punjab Police’s 500-Day Drug Crackdown: Over 68,000 Traffickers Arrested, Rs 319 Crore Assets Seized

Published 20 July 2026 · india

Punjab Police’s 500-Day Drug Crackdown: Over 68,000 Traffickers Arrested, Rs 319 Crore Assets Seized Published By, Last Updated: July 20, 2026, 09:26 IST Punjab Police

Punjab Police’s 500-Day Drug Crackdown: Over 68,000 Traffickers Arrested, Rs 319 Crore Assets Seized Published By, Last Updated: July 20, 2026, 09:26 IST Punjab Police has simultaneously targeted the financial backbone of drug cartels by attaching and confiscating properties acquired through the proceeds of the drug trade. Rapid Read (Representational pic: iStock Images) Punjab Police’s three-pronged strategy of strict enforcement, community participation and preventive education has emerged as the hallmark of its flagship anti-drug campaign, Yudh Nashian Virudh. Over the 500 days since its launch, the campaign has dealt significant blows to the narcotics trade while mobilising communities to play an active role in the fight against drugs. On completion of 500 days of Yudh Nashian Virudh, Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav said the period has witnessed one of the most intensive crackdowns on drug traffickers in the state’s history through sustained enforcement, intelligence-led operations and community policing. He said the sustained crackdown has resulted in record arrests, major drug seizures and the dismantling of organised trafficking networks. “Ever since the campaign was launched on March 1, 2025, Punjab Police has registered 52,432 FIRs under the NDPS Act and apprehended more than 68,850 drug traffickers.

Of these, 629 major traffickers, each found in possession of more than two kilograms of heroin, collectively worth around ₹12 crore, have been arrested," he said. Complementing the enforcement drive, the Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab Government has also provided 10,917 individuals with an opportunity to rebuild their lives by extending immunity from prosecution under Section 64A of the NDPS Act, enabling them to seek treatment and rehabilitation instead of punishment. Punjab Police has simultaneously targeted the financial backbone of drug cartels by attaching and confiscating properties acquired through the proceeds of the drug trade. ADGP Nilabh Kishore, Chief of the Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF), said, “During the campaign, properties worth ₹319 crore belonging to drug traffickers were attached or confiscated. Illegal structures raised on government land using proceeds from the drug trade have also been demolished. These actions send a strong message of Punjab Police’s zero-tolerance policy against drug traffickers and the illegal wealth generated through narcotics". Another hallmark of the campaign has been growing public participation through the Safe Punjab Anti-Drug Helpline (97791-00200). The helpline has received 46,342 anonymous tip-offs, leading to the arrest of 22,960 drug traffickers.