AAP Government's Anti-Drug Campaign in Punjab Achieves Historic Success

Chandigarh, March 16, 2025: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab's relentless fight against drugs has started yielding historic results, marking a significant turning point in the state’s battle against narcotics. Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, in a statement today, highlighted the overwhelming success of the anti-drug campaign launched by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.

Cheema stated that this initiative has evolved into a mass movement, with people of Punjab actively joining hands with the government to eliminate the drug menace that had plagued the state for decades.

Slamming previous SAD-BJP and Congress governments for turning a blind eye to drug trafficking, Cheema said, "The previous regimes were responsible for allowing drug traffickers and gangsters to thrive in Punjab. Unlike them, the AAP government, under the leadership of CM Bhagwant Mann, is committed to eradicating drugs from the state."

As part of the ongoing campaign, the Punjab Police have registered a total of 1,572 FIRs under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, leading to the arrest of 2,364 drug peddlers and traffickers across the state. This extensive crackdown on drug-related crimes demonstrates the government’s firm resolve to bring offenders to justice.

The campaign has also resulted in the seizure of significant quantities of illegal drugs, including 90 kilograms of heroin, 51 kilograms of opium, 1,128 kilograms of bhukki, and 13 kilograms of ganja. Furthermore, cash amounting to ₹63 lakh, believed to be linked to drug trafficking, has been confiscated, cutting off vital financial lifelines for these networks.

In a landmark step, properties worth crores linked to 33 drug traffickers have been demolished. These actions send a strong message to those involved in drug trafficking that their illegal wealth will not go unchallenged.

The campaign also prioritizes the rehabilitation of individuals struggling with addiction. Hundreds of people suffering from substance abuse have been admitted to government-supported de-addiction centers, where they are receiving proper treatment to reintegrate into society.

Cheema further informed that the Punjab Police, in collaboration with the Himachal Pradesh Police, have dismantled key drug smuggling routes, effectively neutralizing trafficking networks across border areas. This coordinated action has significantly curbed the supply of drugs into the state.

Harpal Singh Cheema said that the AAP government is implementing a zero-tolerance policy toward drug traffickers. "No drug trafficker will be spared. Their illegal properties will be confiscated, and they will face the full force of the law," he said.

The Finance Minister thanked the people of Punjab for their active support in making the anti-drug campaign a success. He assured that the AAP government would continue its mission to make Punjab drug-free and uphold its promise of building a safer and healthier future for the state.

"This is just the beginning. With the visionary leadership of CM Bhagwant Mann and AAP National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal, Punjab will emerge victorious in its fight against drugs," Cheema concluded.