Category: Crime

Heroin recoveries surge 148% from 2017–21 to 2022–26 as Bhagwant Mann Govt’s ‘Yudh Nasheyan Virudh’ tightens grip on drug-gang nexus

Punjab E News (April 23): Punjab’s ‘Yudh Nasheyan Virudh’ has intensified into a sustained, high-impact crackdown under the Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab Government, with fresh data pointing to a sharp rise in enforcement, deeper network disruption, and significantly improved conviction outcomes driven by the flagship campaign Yudh Nasheyan Virudh.

The data shows that 73,541 NDPS cases have been registered between 2022 and 2026 (till date), marking an increase of over 40 percent compared to 52,255 cases during 2017–21. Arrests have also seen a steep rise, reaching 98,596 in the current period, up nearly 45 percent from 68,064 earlier, indicating sustained, large-scale action against drug trafficking networks across Punjab.

The scale of enforcement is most evident in seizure patterns, which reflect a deeper penetration into supply chains. Heroin recoveries have surged by 148%, with 5,979 kg seized since 2022 compared to 2,412 kg between 2017–21. Opium seizures have also risen by over 43 percent to 3,583 kg, pointing to intensified ground-level operations.

Action against synthetic drugs has seen a particularly sharp escalation. Ice (crystal methamphetamine) seizures have jumped more than fourfold, rising from 17 kg in the earlier period to 93 kg since 2022, registering a 447% increase. Cocaine seizures, at 6,064 kg, remain broadly consistent with 6,852 kg recorded earlier, reflecting continued pressure on high-value narcotics.

The crackdown has also widened to address pharmaceutical drug abuse, with enforcement agencies recovering 8.7 crore tablets and capsules between 2022–26, underlining a broader strategy to cut off supply chains feeding addiction among youth.

Crucially, the enforcement drive is translating into stronger judicial outcomes. Conviction rates have climbed to 89 percent, indicating tighter investigations, improved evidence-building, and more effective prosecution.

Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav said, “This is not just an increase in enforcement activity, it is a structural shift in how the drug menace is being tackled. The rise in cases and seizures reflects deeper, intelligence-led targeting of networks, while the jump in conviction rates shows that cases are being carried through to conviction. There is sustained pressure across the entire chain, from suppliers to distributors.”

The DGP said that scale and consistency of this action stems from the clear strategic direction under CM Bhagwant Singh Mann, with Yudh Nasheyan Virudh emerging as the central driver of coordinated, high-intensity enforcement across Punjab.

While the rise in seizures reflects intensified action on the ground, the Bhagwant Mann Government has reiterated that the larger objective remains long-term disruption of drug networks and reducing availability at the grassroots level, ensuring that enforcement translates into lasting impact.

Punjab E News (April 21): The success of the Punjab Police-led ‘Gangstran Te Vaar’ operation is not limited to the number of arrests of notorious individuals and recoveries of drugs. The operation has struck at the core of gangster networks, leading to a significant decline in the crime rate across the state.

The sustained efforts of Punjab Police personnel have resulted in a steep drop in organised crime within three months of the launch of ‘Gangstran Te Vaar’. The state has recorded a 100% decline in gangster-linked murder cases. From four gangster- linked murders reported in January, the number dropped to zero in March.

Not just murders, the state has also recorded a massive 69 percent decline in gangster-linked firing incidents — from 29 in the first month of the year to just nine reported till April 20.

Notable cases of extortion have dropped by 10.9%, from 110 reported in January to 98 in March.

With the establishment of a toll-free Anti-Gangster Helpline (*93946-93946*), more citizens are coming forward to report extortion-related calls. “Punjab Police has not only controlled the crime rate in the State, but has also won the trust of its residents with the launch of the ‘Gangstran Te Vaar’ operation. The records speak volumes about the work done to dismantle crime syndicates. This is just the beginning, as Punjab Police is closing in on these gangsters to ensure their complete elimination,” said DGP Punjab, Gaurav Yadav.

As per the analysis conducted, the total number of extortion cases has declined significantly during the period, with an 11 percent fall in overall extortion cases. The campaign has had a strong impact on visible and violent criminal activities. Its success has been witnessed not only in districts and cities but also in border areas.

The data also indicates a substantial decline in organised crime which was becoming a breeding ground for gangsters to recruit criminals.

On this, DGP Punjab Gaurav Yadav stated, “The ‘Gangstran Te Vaar’ operation is not limited to targeting high-profile gangsters, but also their networks spread across Punjab. Individuals involved in petty crime were easy targets for gang recruitment. By cracking down on such elements, we have disrupted their operations and reinforced a zero-tolerance policy towards crime in the state.”

Arrested Accused Were in Contact with Pak-Based Smuggler, Used Drones to Send Consignments: DGP Gaurav Yadav

Amritsar News (April 21): In a major breakthrough amidst the ongoing drive to make Punjab a drug-free state as per directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, Amritsar Commissionerate Police has busted two inter-linked cross-border narcotics smuggling cartels with the arrest of five accused persons and recovered 7.050 kg heroin from their possession, said Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav here on Tuesday.

Those arrested have been identified as Deepak Singh alias Deepu (22), a resident of Harkrishan Nagar in Chheharta, Amritsar; Prince Singh alias Prince, a resident of village Kohala in Amritsar; Rajinder Singh alias Ghuddu (23), Randeep Singh alias Dil (19) and Gurpreet Singh alias Gopi (21), trio residents of village Sensra Kalan in Amritsar. Apart from recovering heroin, police teams have also impounded one motorcycle being used for drug trafficking.

DGP Gaurav Yadav said that preliminary investigation has revealed that the arrested accused were in contact with a Pakistan-based smuggler, who was sending consignments via drones and coordinating distribution of drugs across state through local handlers.

The DGP said that further investigation is underway to establish forward and backward linkages of this drug smuggling network.

Sharing operational details, Commissioner of Police (CP) Amritsar Gurpreet Singh Bhullar said that in a targeted operation based on reliable input, police teams arrested Deepak Singh alias Deepu and recovered 1.3 kg heroin from his possession. During further interrogation, an additional 2.6 kg heroin was recovered, making the total recovery 4.04 kg heroin, he said.

He said that the during further investigation regarding the common Pakistan-based handler, police teams arrested three more accused— Rajinder alias Ghuddu, Randeep alias Dil and Gurpreet alias Gopi and 1.01 kg heroin from his possession. On further disclosure of the arrested accused, their fourth associate, Prince Singh alias Prince, was also apprehended and 2 kg heroin was recovered from his possession, he added.

The CP said that arrested accused Deepak alias Deepu has previous criminal involvement under the NDPS Act, with a case registered at Khanna.

In this regard, two separate cases— FIR No. 77 dated 08-04-2026 under section 21-C of the NDPS Act at Police Station Chheharta and FIR No. 61 dated 17-04-2026 under section 21-C of the NDPS Act at Police Station Cantonment— have been registered.

Chandigarh (April 21, 2026): The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) during its ongoing drive against corruption in the state, has apprehended Inspector Gurjit Singh posted as SHO in police station Division No. 4 Ludhiana, red-handed while accepting a bribe of Rs. 30,000/-.

Disclosing this here today, an official spokesperson of the state VB said the above-mentioned accused has been arrested based on a complaint lodged by a resident of Noorwala road Ludhiana.

He said that complainant’s son was arrested in a case which was registered at Division No.4 Ludhiana. The complainant alleged that when she went to meet her son at the police station Division No. 4 Ludhiana, her son told that the police has brutally beaten him and also kept his gold ring and silver bracelet into their custody. In this connection, accused Inspector demanded a bribe of Rs 35,000 for returning gold ring and silver bracelet. Complainant had recorded the entire conversation of demanding bribe.

Unwilling to pay any illegal gratification, the complainant approached the Vigilance Bureau, Ludhiana. After a preliminary enquiry on his complaint, the VB team laid a trap during which the accused Inspector was arrested red handed while accepting bribe money of Rs 30,000/- from the complainant in presence of two official witnesses.

In this regard, a case under prevention of corruption act has been registered against the accused at VB police station Ludhiana and further investigation into this case is under progress.

Chandigarh News (21 April 2026): The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB), during its ongoing crusade against corruption in the state, has been able to apprehend 9 government officials and one private person red handed while accepting bribes in 9 different trap cases during the month of March.

Disclosing this here today, an official spokesperson of the state VB said the VB has put up its best efforts to eradicate corruption amongst public servants and others in every sphere during the period.

He informed that the Bureau had submitted challans pertaining to 19 vigilance cases in various competent courts in the last month. Apart from this, 2 vigilance enquiries have also been registered to thoroughly probe the corruption cases besides one disproportionate case was also registered against government officer. He added that 4 criminal cases were also registered against 34 accused which include 26 government employees.

Giving more details, he added that different competent courts had decided four bribery cases filed and contested by the Bureau during the last month, in which five persons were convicted and sentenced ranging from four years to five years imprisonment and fine ranging from Rs. 5,000/- to 30,000/-.

Punjab E News: The Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) during its ongoing drive against corruption in the state, has apprehended Assistant Sub Inspector Harpal Singh posted at police station Jaito district Faridkot, red-handed while accepting a bribe of Rs. 33,500/-.

Disclosing this here today, an official spokesperson of the state VB said the above-mentioned accused has been arrested based on a complaint lodged by a resident of Jaito tehsil district Faridkot.

He said that a case under NDPS Act was registered against complainant’s husband and mother-in-law wherein accused ASI Harpal Singh was investigation officer. In this connection, complainant alleged that accused ASI demanded bribe of Rs. 2 lakh in lieu of helping him in this case and for not taking police remand. Upon requesting, deal was settled at Rs 80,000/- and had taken first installment of Rs. 40,000/- as bribe from the complainant.

He highlighted that accused ASI further demanded second installment of bribe Rs. 40,000/- from the complainant. Complainant had recorded the entire conversation of demanding bribe.

Unwilling to pay any illegal gratification, the complainant approached the Vigilance Bureau Unit, Faridkot. After a preliminary enquiry on his complaint, the VB team laid a trap during which the accused ASI was arrested red handed while accepting bribe money of Rs 33,500/- from the complainant in presence of two official witnesses.

In this regard, a case under prevention of corruption act has been registered against the accused at VB police station Ferozepur and further investigation into this case is under progress.