Kapurthala: In a significant breakthrough against the drug trade in Punjab, the Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF), in coordination with Kapurthala Police, has achieved a major milestone with the preventive detention of a top drug smuggler under the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (PITS-NDPS) Act.
According to an official release by Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Police, the detained smuggler has been identified as Gurnam Singh, a resident of Village Sainchan under PS Sultanpur Lodhi in Kapurthala district. Singh had multiple cases pending against him and was reportedly active in drug peddling operations across the region.
Authorities revealed that Singh had three cases registered under the NDPS Act for commercial quantity of drugs. His repeated involvement in the narcotics trade made him a key figure in sustaining the local drug supply chain. By invoking preventive detention, the police aim to dismantle his network and send a strong deterrent message to other traffickers operating in Punjab.
“This arrest will play a crucial role in breaking the drug trafficking chain in the Kapurthala region and beyond,” the DGP’s statement highlighted.
The accused has been shifted to Central Jail, Bathinda, marking a decisive step in Punjab’s aggressive campaign to curb drug smuggling. Officials stressed that this operation underscores the state government’s and Punjab Police’s commitment to make the state drug-free.
Over the past few years, Punjab has intensified its crackdown on drug cartels, with the Anti-Narcotics Task Force leading targeted operations against smugglers, distributors, and their support systems. The preventive detention of Gurnam Singh under the stringent PITS-NDPS Act showcases the administration’s willingness to use tough legal measures to combat the menace.
Police officials reiterated that sustained enforcement efforts, coupled with community awareness and rehabilitation programs, are vital for breaking the cycle of addiction and trafficking. The arrest, they said, reflects Punjab’s zero-tolerance policy towards drugs and is a reminder of the administration’s resolve to protect the youth from the scourge of narcotics.
