In a first, Punjab police not to penalise those held with small quantities of drugs
Addicts arrested with small quantities will be sent to de-addiction centres
Chandigarh News: In a new strategy to crack down on smugglers and rehabilitate drug addicts, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, led Punjab Police has decided not to arrest people who were held consuming drugs with small quantities instead they will be sent to de-addiction centres, police said.
According to the information, said that under the enforcement part, CPs/SSPs have been asked to launch all-out operations against street peddlers and suppliers to make a dent in the supply of drugs at cutting-edge level in mohallas and villages.
As part of this strategy, consumers— caught with a few grams of heroin or narcotic powder— will be treated as victims and section 64A of the NDPS Act will be enforced to provide them with an opportunity to get themselves treated and avail immunity from prosecution through the court, he added. He said that special focus is being given to pharmaceutical drugs.
Meanwhile, the police have arrested 333 drug smugglers/suppliers after registering 242 first information reports (FIRs), including 27 commercial, and recovered 28.88-Kg Heroin, 3.17-Kg opium, 6.36 quintals of poppy husk, and 1.21 lakh tablets/capsules/injections/