Summary:

Punjab Police conducted 344 raids in one day, arresting 197 suspects and seizing large quantities of drugs and alcohol.
Since February, over 42,000 raids have led to more than 20,000 arrests and significant drug seizures.
Inspector General Dr. Usman Anwar calls for intensified operations and ongoing vigilance, particularly around educational institutions.

In a significant crackdown, Punjab Police have intensified their targeted operations against drug dealers across the province, including Lahore. On a single day, officers conducted 344 raids on known drug hideouts, arresting 197 individuals and seizing 315 kilograms of charas and 2,294 liters of alcohol.

Since the special campaign began on February 26, police have executed over 42,000 raids, leading to the arrest of 20,459 suspects and the registration of nearly 20,000 cases. The operations have yielded substantial drug seizures, including 12,699 kilograms of charas, 233 kilograms of heroin, and over 1.7 million liters of alcohol.

Inspector General of Police Punjab, Dr. Usman Anwar, has directed officers to accelerate their efforts against drug smugglers and dealers. He emphasized the need for focused actions in hotspots and online drug transactions. Regular search operations around schools and increased awareness campaigns involving parents, teachers, and community members have also been mandated. Dr. Anwar stressed the importance of targeting criminals involved in inter-provincial and inter-district smuggling.