Archive · 14 Sep 2026
Punjab Police Report 79,000 Arrests in Anti-Drug Campaign
Punjab police said they have arrested many people accused of selling or moving illegal drugs.
The arrests were part of a campaign called Yudh Nashian Virudh.
Police said they registered more than 60,000 cases.
They also reported finding large amounts of heroin, opium, poppy husk, ganja, and intoxicant tablets or capsules.
The police said 79,784 people were arrested, including hundreds described as major traffickers.
Officials said careful investigations helped courts convict people in 89 per cent of decided NDPS cases.
They said 13,430 NDPS cases were decided and 11,981 resulted in convictions.
The Anti-Narcotics Task Force’s approach has also been discussed with police officers nationally.
Punjab police said they arrested 79,784 alleged drug smugglers after launching the Yudh Nashian Virudh campaign.
The police registered 60,582 FIRs and identified 708 major alleged traffickers in 354 commercial-scale cases.
Authorities reported recovering 3,803 kg of heroin, 976 kg of opium, 46 tonnes of poppy husk, and other narcotics.
The campaign’s reported figures cover the period from March 1, 2025, to September 10, 2026.
Officials said professional investigations helped raise the conviction rate in NDPS cases to 89 per cent.
- Who
- Punjab police, led in the briefing by DGP Gaurav Yadav and accompanied by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.
- What
- Authorities reported 79,784 arrests, 60,582 FIRs, major drug recoveries, and an 89 per cent conviction rate during the anti-drug campaign.
- When
- The campaign began on March 1, 2025; reported recovery figures run through September 10, 2026.
- Where
- Punjab, India.
- Why
- The campaign was launched to combat drug smuggling and trafficking.
- Campaign
- Yudh Nashian Virudh
- Arrests reported
- 79,784 alleged drug smugglers
- FIRs registered
- 60,582
- Heroin recovered
- 3,803 kg
- Other reported recoveries
- 976 kg opium, 46 tonnes poppy husk, 1,325 kg ganja, and 78 lakh intoxicant capsules or tablets
- Conviction rate
- 89 per cent in the NDPS cases cited by officials
- Cases decided
- 13,430 NDPS cases, including 11,981 convictions