BackPOLITICS
Punjab’s War on Drugs Intensifies: Cases Up 40%, Heroin Seizures Surge 148% Under Mann Govt
New data show a sustained enforcement drive against narcotics networks in Punjab under Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. NDPS Act cases and arrests have risen sharply since 2022, with heroin and other drug seizures up and conviction rates higher, signaling a structural shift in enforcement.
Why It Matters
The data indicate a significant tightening of anti-drug operations and stronger judicial outcomes, which could impact crime, addiction, and youth safety in Punjab.
Timeline
3 Events
Article reporting and official remarks (April 26, 2026)
April 26, 2026
The article reports that Punjab’s anti-drug campaign, Yudh Nasheyan Virudh, has become a sustained, intelligence-led enforcement drive under Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. DGP Gaurav Yadav describes the campaign as a structural shift in tackling the drug menace, noting rising cases and seizures and higher conviction rates as evidence of more effective prosecutions.
Current enforcement period starts (since 2022) — key metrics
2022
From 2022 to date, NDPS Act cases reached 73,541 (over 40% higher than 2017–2021), and arrests totaled 98,596 (about 45% higher than the previous five-year period). Heroin recoveries rose 148% to 5,979 kg since 2022 (vs 2,412 kg in 2017–2021). Opium seizures increased to 3,583 kg (over 43% higher). Ice (crystal meth) seizures jumped to 93 kg (a 447% increase from 17 kg earlier). Cocaine seizures were 6,064 kg, broadly in line with the earlier 6,852 kg. Approximately 8.7 crore tablets/capsules were recovered between 2022 and 2026. Conviction rates rose from 64% to 89%.
Baseline period for narcotics data (2017-2021)
2017
During the 2017–2021 baseline period, Punjab registered 52,255 NDPS Act cases and 68,064 arrests. Heroin seizures totaled 2,412 kg in this period.