AAP govt will not allow drug money to build mansions: Cheema

Chandigarh: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) govt will not allow "drug money" to build mansions in Punjab, finance minister Harpal Singh Cheema said while speaking in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha on the govt's action against drug trafficking. Responding to a question raised by Payal MLA Manwinder Singh Giaspura, Cheema highlighted the success of the 1-year ‘Yudh Nashean Virudh' campaign.

Responding on behalf of chief minister Bhagwant Mann, Cheema said, "From March 1, 2025 to Feb 28, 2026, the AAP govt launched an all-out war against the drug trade through strict enforcement, community involvement, and preventive education. During this period, Punjab Police registered 36,178 First Information Reports (FIRs) under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act and arrested 47,902 accused."


Detailing that the AAP govt targeted the entire supply chain, he continued, "A total of 3,173 drug suppliers and distributors and 429 big fish who orchestrated this poison were also arrested. Punjab Police seized 2,276kg of heroin, 29 tonnes of poppy husk, 686kg of opium, and 786kg of marijuana. In addition, 68kg of charas, 4kg of cocaine, 36kg of ICE, and more than 49 lakh illicit pills and capsules were also recovered. Punjab Police recovered 285 drones and confiscated 338kg of heroin that was transported through these rogue drones, thereby cutting off a major supply route."

Speaking about financial action against drug networks, the finance minister said, "We are hitting these cartels where it hurts the most: their finances. Punjab Police recovered ₹17 crore in direct drug money. More importantly, 65 major operators were arrested, effectively dismantling illicit hawala networks in the region."

Emphasising the importance of convictions in ensuring long-term deterrence, he said, "Out of 6,822 decided cases, 6,083 resulted in convictions. This 89% conviction rate is the highest in the country and was made possible through modernisation efforts such as digital evidence collection and rigorous financial tracking. Punjab Police also arrested 47 proclaimed offenders, 636 absconders, 83 bail jumpers, and 8 parole jumpers under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act. The Punjab govt will not allow drug money to build mansions in Punjab. A total of 323 illegally constructed properties belonging to drug smugglers were demolished, and illegally acquired assets worth ₹241 crore belonging to 569 drug smugglers were frozen." He accused the previous Congress and SAD-BJP govts in the state of failing to tackle the problem.

Giaspura claimed that many of those arrested in drug cases were later released on bail with the support of drug smugglers. He urged the govt to frame a policy to make public the names of individuals who secure bail for those arrested under the NDPS Act.