Punjab Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav on 19 July announced that 629 major drug traffickers had been arrested over the 500-day run of the state's flagship anti-narcotics campaign 'Yudh Nashian Virudh', alongside sweeping seizures and the dismantling of organised trafficking networks across the state. The campaign, launched on 1 March 2025, has registered more than 52,432 FIRs under the NDPS Act and apprehended over 68,850 traffickers in total.

Key Developments in 500 Days

Of the 68,850 individuals apprehended, 629 were classified as major traffickers — each found in possession of more than two kg of heroin, with the combined haul valued at approximately ₹12 crore, according to DGP Yadav. The scale of enforcement marks one of Punjab's most sustained narcotics crackdowns in recent memory, spanning every district of the state.

Simultaneously, the campaign has struck at the financial infrastructure of drug cartels. Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) chief Nilabh Kishore said properties worth ₹319 crore belonging to traffickers were attached or confiscated during the period. Illegal structures built on government land using drug proceeds have also been demolished.

Rehabilitation Alongside Enforcement

The Punjab government has extended immunity from prosecution under Section 64-A of the NDPS Act to 10,917 individuals, enabling them to pursue treatment and rehabilitation in place of criminal proceedings. Officials described this as a deliberate balance between punitive action and public health — an approach that distinguishes this campaign from earlier enforcement-only drives.

Public Participation and Helpline Impact

A notable feature of the campaign has been community engagement through the Safe Punjab Anti-Drug Helpline (97791-00200). The helpline received 46,342 anonymous tip-offs, directly leading to the arrest of 22,960 traffickers, according to an official statement. Officials said the volume of calls reflects growing public confidence in the police and the effectiveness of community policing.

Punjab Police are also working in coordination with over 24,000 Village Defence Committees, comprising more than 1.25 lakh members, who report suspicious activity and support intelligence gathering at the village level. Awareness drives, sports events, youth programmes and public meetings are being organised in collaboration with educational institutions and civil society organisations to build community resilience.

Conviction Rate and What Comes Next

DGP Yadav said the force had achieved an 89 per cent conviction rate in NDPS cases — which he described as the highest in the country — attributing it to 'high-quality investigations, improved evidence collection and close coordination with prosecution agencies.' Analysts note that a high conviction rate is critical to deterrence, since arrests without successful prosecutions often allow traffickers to return to the trade. The state is expected to continue expanding both its enforcement and rehabilitation arms as the campaign moves beyond the 500-day mark.