Himachal Pradesh Police in a war against drugs and to ensure safety and well-being of the community had taken several decisive actions against drug traffickers in the year 2023.

An official spokesperson of Himachal Pradesh Police Department informed here on Saturday that under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, the year 2023 witnessed registering 42 per cent more cases as compared to the previous year. 2147 cases were registered in 2023, while 1517 cases had been registered during the year 2022.

Furthermore, there has been a recovery of 26 per cent more heroin and double the quantity of smack and poppy husk last year as compared to 2022.

The state also witnessed an increase of 40 percent in the arrest of criminals involved in drug trafficking.

Responding to court decisions in NDPS cases, the police ensured destruction of 170 properties in the year 2023.

Against the state jails having the capacity to lodge 2560 prisoners, at present, 1205 accused involved in drug trafficking (47 per cent as per the jail capacity) are lodged in various jails of the state, said the spokesperson.

The police in collaboration with youth and other stakeholders of the state including Courts, Excise Department, Prosecution/Law, Department, Journalists in the fight of eradication of drugs from the state organized a Pradhav Campaign discussed strategies were specifically to curb drug addiction

“The fight against drug peddling is a top priority of Himachal Pradesh Police. We are resolute in our commitment to creating a safe and drug-free environment for our residents. Himachal police encourages residents to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities related to drug peddling or other criminal behaviour,” said the spokesperson.

After becoming a Police District, Nurpur Police has taken stringent action against the two habitual drug traffickers accused involved in smuggling of narcotics substances.

In a first case in the state in which Detention Authority passed detention order in respect of the habitual offender Puneet Mahajan of Village Basa of Nurpur in district Kangra, under Section 3(1) of the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substance Act, 1988, he informed.

Furthermore, in continuation of this, two more cases have been sent to the Detention Authority to pass detention orders, he said, adding that at present three cases (Nurpur-1 and Hamirpur-2) are under consideration with the Detention Authority.

With financial investigations being done in NDPS cases and property getting attached, 23 cases of illegally acquired property (worth Rs 13.51 crore) have been forwarded by police to the Ministry of Finance (MoF) for property attachment.

Seven cases of NDPS Act have been shared with ED for financial investigation, in which property worth Rs 40 crore is involved, said the spokesperson.