PHAGWARA: In a major crackdown against drugs and crime, Phagwara police on Monday registered a case under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act after seizing more than 53 kilograms of poppy husk from a state transport bus.
Phagwara S.P. Gurmit Kaur Chahal while giving the details said here today that the seizure was made during a morning check at Phagwara Bus Stand when police intercepted a PRTC bus (PB08 EW 5159) around 8 a.m. On searching, cops recovered two bags containing approximately 53.5 kg of poppy husk.
The bus driver, Hardev Singh, a resident of Rakhrihar Hajipur in Hoshiarpur, and conductor Lovepreet Singh, a resident of Patti in Tarntaran, were arrested on the spot. Police also detained the bus as part of the investigation, and a case has been registered under FIR No. 198 dated August 18, at Police Station City Phagwara.
Later in the day, the police carried out a large-scale cordon and search operation (CASO) in different parts of the city under the supervision of SP Phagwara Gurmeet Kaur Chahal. Inspector Aman Kumar Daveshwar and SHO City Usha Rani were among those senior cops who participated in CASO.
The CASO operation began in Chajj Colony and the Industrial Area, where two motorcycles without proper documents were seized. The search was subsequently extended to the Law Gate locality near Lovely Professional University (LPU), a busy hub on the outskirts of the city.
Speaking to the media, SP Gurmeet Kaur Chahal said the operations were being conducted under the guidance of SSP Kapurthala Gaurav Toora, as part of the ongoing state-wide campaign “Yudh Nasheya Virodh” launched by the AAP-led Punjab Government. She stressed that the Punjab Police was committed to a zero-tolerance approach against narcotics and related crimes, urging those involved in illegal activities to shun the path of crime and embrace a lawful and dignified life.