Punjab: Decrease in heroin seizure, increase in opioid seizure

Punjab: This year saw more than a three-fold increase in drug addiction, while seizure of ‘chitta’ (heroin) declined compared to last year. For the first time, six drug mafias were put under rigorous detention for up to two years under the Prevention of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (PITNDPS) Act. Despite daily reports about heroin seizures, the year-long data submitted by the police department shows that seizures have declined. In 2024, the police seized 1,099 kg of heroin, while 1,161 kg of the banned substance was confiscated last year. The number of FIRs registered under the NDPS Act fell to 8,935 as against 10,786. Even the number of smugglers arrested fell to 12,255 from 14,951 last year. Despite this, the police seized 550 properties of drug smugglers as compared to 294 in 2023. Last year, the police seized 83.17 lakh tablets, capsules, injections and vials of pharma opioids, while in 2024 the seizure increased to Rs 2.94 crore. Police officials said that the use of pharma opioids is increasing among drug addicts due to the reduced inflow of heroin from Afghanistan after the Taliban government banned heroin. Apart from this, cultivation in Afghanistan has also reduced. Myanmar (Burma) is producing 1,083 metric tonnes of opium, while production in Afghanistan has come down to 433 metric tonnes. Officials claimed that the shifting of 200 smugglers, including big fishes, from other jails to the zero-mobile network area of ​​​​Bathinda jail has affected the supply chain. It is noteworthy that in June, a high-level government meeting was held to tackle drug abuse after 14 deaths due to drug overdose, leading to an argument between police and health officials.