Punjab Police carried out a large-scale state-level cordon and search operation named ‘EAGLE-IV’ on Friday, focusing on identified drug hotspots across the state, as per an official statement.
According to the statement, more than 500 police teams comprising over 4,000 personnel cordoned off 392 drug hotspots, which are known points of sale for drugs and psychotropic substances.
The operation resulted in the arrest of 254 individuals. Additionally, 352 checkpoints were set up around these areas.
Directed by Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav, the operation spanned from 8 am to 2 pm and covered all 28 police districts. Senior officers from Punjab Police headquarters, including police commissioners and senior superintendents of police, actively participated in the operation.
Arrests and Seizures
Special DGP (Law and Order) Arpit Shukla stated that police teams filed 221 FIRs and arrested 254 suspects during the operation. They also conducted checks on 4,575 suspicious individuals and verified their credentials.
During the operation, significant quantities of illicit substances were seized, including 2.6 kg of heroin, Rs 15.71 lakh in drug money, 83 kg of poppy husk, 2.6 kg of ganja (cannabis), 550 grams of opium, 7,553 intoxicant tablets, and a substantial amount of licit liquor.
Leadership and Supervision
High-ranking officers such as ADGP, IG, and DIG from the police headquarters supervised operations in each police district. Special DGP Shukla, along with SSP Gulneet Singh Khurana in Rupnagar, emphasized meticulous planning and execution to target areas harboring drug peddlers.
Shukla highlighted the state government’s enforcement, de-addiction, and prevention (EDP) strategy to combat drugs and urged officers to trace all linkages in cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act. He stressed strict action against those involved in collusion with drug smugglers.
Regarding border security, Shukla noted rigorous monitoring of drone movements used for smuggling drugs, weapons, and explosives. Since September 2019, there have been 906 drone sightings in border districts, with 187 drones successfully recovered.
Additionally, properties of prominent drug smugglers or dealers caught with over 2 kg of heroin are being forfeited. Since the current government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann took office, Punjab Police have seized 459 properties worth Rs 200 crores. Another 559 proposals to freeze properties worth Rs 246 crores are awaiting approval.
