Residents urged to help police make region free of drug menace

The police claimed to have nabbed more than 450 peddlers during the past four months. Appreciating the cooperation received from office-bearers and activists of various organisations in sensitising stakeholders about the causes and consequences of drug abuse, Malerkotla SSP Gagan Ajit Singh urged residents to continue extending their support to the ‘Yudha Nashian Virudh’ campaign to make the region drug-free.

SSP Gagan said officials posted at various police stations under the Ahmedgarh, Amargarh and Malerkotla subdivisions had nabbed 457 drug peddlers during the past around four months after registering 409 cases against them.

1.689 kg of heroin, 2 kg of opium, 41 kg of poppy husk, 350 gm of sulfa drug and 5,895 habit-forming tablets were seized. Drug money totalling 1.74 lakh was also recovered during the period and eight premises belonging to notorious drug peddlers and constructed in violation of rules were razed.

The SSP said 14 suspects, booked under the Excise Act, were arrested with 255 litres of illicit liquor and 30 litres of lahan was seized, too. Two properties, allegedly constructed with drug money worth Rs 35.65 lakh, were also forfeited.

Acknowledging that the fight against drugs had received overwhelming support from law-abiding residents of the district, SSP Gagan asserted that over 100 events were organised for spreading awareness on the issue during the past quarter.

Besides this, cybercrime cell personnel had helped citizens recover Rs 3.5 lakh money. As many as 100 stolen or snatched smartphones were returned to their owners, too.

The SSP urged residents to provide information about activities of antisocial elements without any fear as the identity of the information providers was being kept confidential.

Ludhiana