Badal (Muktsar), Sept 11
Alarmed over massive inflow of narcotic drugs into Punjab in recent years, police officers from three states today decided to share information every fortnight and cut supply and escape routes of narcotic smugglers on the run.

Inspector General Nirmal Singh Dhillon said the police officers have identified 48 sensitive points used by criminals on Punjab’s border with Haryana and Rajasthan. He said the drug route stretched from Rajasthan to Punjab and Haryana via Kandu Khera village in Muktsar district. 

Police officers interact with mediapersons on Tuesday. Tribune photo: Pawan Sharma

The police officers have also decided to swiftly seal the borders in case of emergency, appoint nodal officers in each district to communicate with each other and conduct joint raids.

The need for a joint strategy has come at a time when Punjab has reported the worst drug scenario. From a state known as the transit point of smuggling between the Gulf and Middle-East to Europe, Canada and the US, it has now become a major consumption point.

Police figures say Rs 225 crore worth of drugs, including 7 kg smack, 45 kg heroin, 225 kg opium and 40,000 kg poppy husk were recovered in the Bathinda zone this year alone. Nearly 700 smugglers were nabbed during this time.

Police studies reveal that within a decade, Punjab has started consuming over 25 per cent of drugs being smuggled from Afghanistan and other countries to Europe and the US.

Sources say the criminals have thrived on an excellent network. The police of different states, however, is yet to firm up an effective mechanism to take on the drug menace.

The police officers on Tuesday exchanged information on gangs active in the region, their modules and possible link with terror modules, the drug routes and modes of smuggling apart from gangs indulging in kidnappings and car-jacking. “The criminals, especially drug smugglers, use 26 routes in Fazilka, 18 in Mansa and four in Mukatsar to smuggle narcotics or to escape. We have exchanged information about hideouts, proclaimed offenders, the networks, and the movement of criminals during elections,” said Dhillon.

The meeting discussed the category of drugs being smuggled from one state or the other. “Our focus is to reach the origin point of the various drugs.” The police officials exchanged information of how opium and poppy husk was coming to Punjab from Rajasthan, which has licensed vends of these drugs. Rajasthan police officers revealed how liquor from Punjab was being smuggled into Rajasthan. Haryana was the main route of smuggling.