How Did Punjab Police Achieve an 89% Conviction Rate in NDPS Cases?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Punjab Police achieves an 89% conviction rate in NDPS cases.
- 836 NDPS cases resolved since March 1.
- 144 drug kingpins sentenced to 10 years or more.
- Community involvement is crucial for drug eradication.
- Innovative technology like anti-drone systems is being implemented.
Chandigarh, April 28 (NationPress) - The Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav announced on Monday that the Punjab Police have reached a remarkable 89 percent conviction rate in cases involving the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act since March 1, positioning them among the leaders in the nation.
Since March 1, a total of 836 NDPS Act cases were resolved in the state, with 744 resulting in convictions.
“Among these cases, 144 drug kingpins received sentences of rigorous imprisonment of 10 years or more, underscoring the commitment of law enforcement and judicial systems in tackling drug trafficking,” the DGP informed the media.
Alongside Special DGP (Anti-Narcotics Task Force) Kuldeep Singh and Additional DGP (ANTF) Nilabh Kishore, DGP Yadav indicated that the state government has set a target to eliminate drug availability on the streets by May 31. All Commissioners of Police (CPs) and Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs) have been tasked with leading the “Mission Nasha Mukt Punjab” in their areas, ensuring professional policing.
The DGP has called for a review meeting on Tuesday, where district leaders will present their strategies for eradicating drugs in their respective regions by May 31.
“CPs and SSPs are instructed to devise and implement all necessary actions to meet this objective, ensuring their regions are completely drug-free by May 31,” he stated. Post this date, a thorough field evaluation will utilize intelligence sources to confirm the ground situation.
Emphasizing the importance of community involvement in the fight against drugs, DGP Yadav urged citizens to leverage the Safe Punjab Anti-Drug Helpline ‘9779100200’ to report drug traffickers anonymously, mentioning that each tip is monitored daily, with Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann personally reviewing the progress.
The Punjab Police have filed 503 FIRs and apprehended 659 individuals based on public information received via the Safe Punjab Drug Helpline, according to the DGP.
Moreover, the police have implemented a three-pronged strategy: dismantling hawala networks, freezing assets, and demolishing illegal constructions to disrupt the financial infrastructure of drug trafficking.
In a significant blow to the economic framework of drug smugglers, police apprehended 31 hawala operators, recovered Rs 8.03 crore in drug money, and froze assets worth Rs 32.95 crore belonging to 81 smugglers, effectively crippling their capabilities to launder money or reinvest in criminal activities.
Additionally, 72 illegally built properties linked to drug traffickers have been demolished by local authorities following legal protocols.
DGP Yadav noted that trials for an anti-drone system have been conducted along the India-Pakistan border, with plans to install this advanced technology to intercept drones used for smuggling drugs and weapons by September or October.
He also mentioned that a proposal for the establishment of 30 exclusive NDPS Act Courts, with an annual budget of Rs 22.8 crore, is currently under active consideration by the state government.