- More than 14,186 suspects grilled during 478 in province-wide combing operations, 53 taken into custody
- 73,000 raids conducted, narcotics worth tons seized; 9,000 arrests in Lahore
LAHORE: Punjab Police have intensified their province-wide crackdown on criminal and anti-state elements through a series of search, sweep, combing, and anti-narcotics operations, resulting in hundreds of arrests and significant recoveries over the past 24 hours.
Over 14,000 suspects checked in one day
According to a Punjab Police spokesperson, 478 combing operations were carried out in different districts, during which more than 14,186 suspects were checked and 53 taken into custody. Alongside, 31 search and sweep operations were conducted, involving the questioning of over 3,720 individuals, leading to the arrest of two suspects. Police also apprehended 638 proclaimed offenders involved in heinous crimes, 134 court absconders, and 82 habitual criminals, while a large cache of illegal weapons and ammunition was seized from their possession.
10 criminals neutralized, five held injured
In actions against hardened elements, 10 offenders were neutralized, while five were arrested in injured condition. Inspector General (IG) Punjab Police directed that these operations must continue to bring anti-state and criminal groups to justice.
Year-long anti-narcotics drive in full swing
Parallel to these actions, anti-narcotics operations are also being pursued vigorously under IG Punjab Dr. Usman Anwar’s directives for a “Drug-Free Punjab.” During the current year, police have conducted 73,850 raids on drug dealers’ hideouts across the province, arresting 45,298 suspects involved in drug trafficking and registering cases against them. Recovered narcotics include 25,633 kilograms of charas, 2,381 kilograms of heroin, 1,453 kilograms of ice, 2,500 kilograms of opium, and 612,308 liters of liquor.
9,000 drug dealers arrested in Lahore
In Lahore alone, 9,107 drug dealers were arrested, with recoveries comprising 4,317 kilograms of charas, 496 kilograms of heroin, 885 kilograms of ice, 273 kilograms of opium, and 52,356 liters of liquor.
IG vows zero tolerance against drug mafia
The IG has directed further intensification of these operations, stressing that the entire supply chain of drug trafficking must be dismantled, with special focus on sellers operating near educational institutions and hostels.
