In a move to intensify the fight against drugs under the ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ campaign, Punjab’s Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav unveiled the new state-of-the-art office of the Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) in Jalandhar Range. The Rs 1.60 crore building is tailored to boost operational efficiency and accommodate the range’s expanded capabilities in combating drug trafficking more efficiently. It features designated spaces for officers, investigating teams, support staff, a Reader’s room, and a modern conference facility.
DGP Yadav highlighted that the facility is equipped with advanced tools to target major drug traffickers and disrupt international narcotics networks operating within the state. The specialized unit is equipped with mobile and computer forensic tools, sophisticated data analysis systems, forensic data extraction, decryption and analysis capabilities, as well as equipment for technical interception and cryptocurrency tracking. He emphasized the importance of technological upgrades in drug enforcement and the deployment of a skilled technical team to operate the advanced equipment.
The ANTF has also enhanced its technical capabilities with the Punjab Artificial Intelligence System (PAIS 2.0), which now supports voice analysis using a database of over 70,000 criminal voices, among other cutting-edge features. DGP Yadav shared the outcomes of the ‘Yudh Nashe Virudh’ campaign, revealing that the police have filed 35,133 first information reports (FIRs) and apprehended 50,238 drug smugglers since March 1. The seizures include 2,229 kg heroin, 667 kg opium, 28 tons of poppy husk, 68 kg charas, 783 kg ganja, 29 kg ICE, four kg cocaine, 48.64 lakh intoxicant pills and tablets, and Rs 16.68 crore in drug money.
Describing the ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ campaign as a significant triumph, DGP Yadav affirmed the continuation of the campaign until the state is free from the menace of drugs. He urged the public to confidentially report any drug-related information through the Safe Punjab Chatbot at 97791-00200.
