Punjab Newsline,Chandigarh :
Assets Worth ₹2,730 Crore Seized, Over 85,000 Drug Smugglers Arrested; 2025 Emerges as a Year of Reckoning for Criminals
Under the Punjab government’s flagship ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ (War Against Drugs) campaign, the state has achieved major success in its fight against drug trafficking and organised crime. Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, while reviewing the performance of the Police Department on Saturday, said that more than 85,418 drug smugglers have been arrested over the last three and a half years, and the conviction rate under the NDPS (Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances) Act has risen to an unprecedented 88 percent. He described this as a decisive turning point in Punjab’s long-standing battle against drugs.
The Chief Minister said that since his government assumed office, 63,053 cases have been registered against drug smugglers across the state. He highlighted that after the launch of the ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ campaign on March 1, 2025, the police registered 30,144 FIRs and arrested 40,302 smugglers in 2025 alone. Emphasising that political interference has been completely eliminated, CM Mann said the police were given a free hand to act firmly and fearlessly, which has resulted in visible outcomes on the ground.
Explaining the strategy behind the campaign, the Chief Minister said the government adopted a three-pronged approach based on strict enforcement, de-addiction, and prevention. As a result of sustained crackdowns, Punjab Police recovered 5,119.94 kg of heroin, 3,458.53 kg of opium, 5.82 kg of cocaine, 82.04 kg of synthetic drug (Ice), and nearly 4.98 crore intoxicant capsules during the last three and a half years. In addition, drug money amounting to ₹52.46 crore was also seized.
Highlighting the importance of financial investigations, CM Mann said that between 2022 and 2025, properties worth more than ₹2,730 crore belonging to drug smugglers were frozen or confirmed. Over 1,400 proposals for freezing illegally acquired assets were approved, sending a strong message that the proceeds of drug crime will not be allowed to sustain narcotics networks in Punjab.
On the law and order front, the Chief Minister said that 2025 proved to be a “year of reckoning” for criminals. From January 1 to December 17, 2025, Punjab Police arrested 916 gangsters, neutralised 13 dreaded criminals, dismantled 389 criminal modules, and recovered 594 weapons along with 229 other illegal arms.
CM Mann also praised the Punjab Police for major success in curbing drone-based drug smuggling. He noted that the state significantly strengthened its technological and operational capabilities, leading to a sharp rise in drone interceptions and recoveries during 2025. Reiterating his government’s commitment, the Chief Minister said ensuring a drug-free and safe Punjab remains the top priority, and the fight against drugs and organised crime will continue with full force.