Archive · 12 Sep 2026
Punjab’s Drug Crisis Deepens Despite Crackdowns and Political Promises
Punjab has had a serious drug problem for many years.
Some families are being hurt even when their children are not using drugs.
One worker, Gulzar Singh, died after reportedly taking poison following threats connected to his questions about drugs.
People say heroin and other medicines are still easy to find.
Drugs enter through routes connected to Punjab’s border and are also moved by drones and floodwaters.
Police have arrested many people and seized large quantities of drugs.
However, critics say the supply has not stopped.
A court also heard that drugs are available inside prisons.
Political parties are promising again to end the problem before the elections.
The biggest victims can be children and families caught in the crisis.
A labourer from Sangrur, Gulzar Singh, died after allegedly consuming Celphos tablets following threats linked to his criticism of drug abuse.
Families in Punjab continue to report widespread addiction, with one user describing heroin, or “chitta,” as readily available as salt.
Authorities attribute trafficking to Punjab’s proximity to the Golden Crescent, while newer networks use pharmaceutical drugs, drones and flood routes.
Punjab Police reported 59,293 NDPS cases, 696 major-trafficker arrests and major drug seizures between March 1, 2025, and September 2, 2026.
With Assembly elections approaching, political parties are again making drug eradication a central campaign issue despite repeated earlier promises.
- Who
- Punjab residents, families affected by addiction, traffickers, Punjab Police, state political parties and officials are involved; Gulzar Singh was identified as a recent victim.
- What
- Punjab’s continuing drug crisis is being discussed again after a labourer’s death, evidence of prison drug availability and renewed political promises to eradicate narcotics.
- When
- The article recalls a reporting assignment from late 2024, describes Gulzar Singh’s death as occurring this week, and cites enforcement data from March 1, 2025, to September 2, 2026.
- Where
- Punjab, including Sangrur, Kapurthala, the Sutlej route, prisons and the nearly 500-kilometre international border.
- Why
- The crisis is linked in the article to Punjab’s proximity to the Golden Crescent, entrenched trafficking networks, pharmaceutical-drug misuse and alleged support from parts of the police and administration.
Government and enforcement claims
Criticism from communities and officials
Whether the crackdown is working
Government and enforcement claims
Punjab Police reports tens of thousands of FIRs, hundreds of major-trafficker arrests, large seizures and property action against alleged drug proceeds.
Criticism from communities and officials
Residents and other voices cited in the article say chitta remains as easily available as salt, suggesting that supply has not dried up.
Source of the continuing crisis
Government and enforcement claims
Police officers emphasize Punjab’s location near the Golden Crescent and describe increasingly sophisticated routes involving drones, floods and pharmaceutical drugs.
Criticism from communities and officials
Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria said the drug trade could not survive for even 10 days without support from the police and administration, pointing to alleged institutional complicity.
Political promises
Government and enforcement claims
Successive governments, including the Shiromani Akali Dal-BJP government, Captain Amarinder Singh’s government and the AAP government, have promised decisive action; the BJP is planning Nasha Mukt Yatras.
Criticism from communities and officials
The article argues that repeated pledges have not produced a decisive change and says the trade has instead become more pharmaceutical, aerial and entrenched.
- Police campaign
- Punjab Police launched Yudh Nasheyan Virudh in March 2025.
- Reported enforcement
- Between March 1, 2025, and September 2, 2026, police registered 59,293 FIRs under the NDPS Act and arrested 696 major traffickers.
- Seizures
- Police reported seizing 3,757 kilograms of heroin, 62 lakh tablets and Rs 22 crore in drug money during that period.
- Prison treatment figures
- Inmates registered for opioid treatment increased from 2,540 at entry to 15,768, according to a police affidavit.
- Trafficking methods
- The article describes drugs and weapons being moved by drones and heroin being transported across the Sutlej by swimmers.
- Political focus
- The AAP, Akali Dal (Waris Punjab De) and BJP are presenting drug eradication as a major political issue ahead of Punjab Assembly elections.