Punjab’s War on Drugs: Record Arrests, Political Timelines & Unfinished Business

Punjab is witnessing an unprecedented surge in drug-related arrests, with law enforcement ramping up efforts following the Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) electoral setback in Delhi. The state police have arrested an average of 64 suspects daily, totaling 5,835 arrests by March 31—surpassing the previous record of 47 daily arrests (17,001 total) in 2014.

The ongoing Yudh Nasheyan Virudh campaign has dramatically escalated operations, resulting in 4,706 arrests in March alone. This marks a sharp rise compared to 2023, when the average stood at 41 arrests per day (14,951 total), and 2022’s 33 daily arrests (12,255 total).

Election Cycles and Drug Crackdowns

Historically, Punjab's anti-drug drives have intensified around election periods, reflecting political commitments to combat smuggling and addiction. The most significant crackdown occurred in 2014 when the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD)-Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) coalition faced immense pressure to act, leading to a peak in arrests.

A similar trend followed in 2017 when the Congress government under then Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh vowed to eliminate drugs within weeks. During his tenure, an average of 34 arrests per day (12,356 total) were made.

Challenges Persist Despite Increased Arrests

Despite the surge in enforcement, gaps in Punjab’s anti-drug efforts remain. The state police recently informed the Punjab and Haryana High Court that out of 1,846 wanted smugglers, only 875 have been arrested, leaving 941 absconders still at large.

As Punjab continues its aggressive crackdown, the effectiveness of these operations in dismantling the deeper drug networks remains a critical question. 

The Unfinished Battle: 971 Smugglers Still Missing

Despite the surge in arrests, the police admitted to the Punjab and Haryana High Court that 971 wanted smugglers from a list of 1,846 are still absconding. This raises concerns about whether the crackdown is addressing the root of Punjab’s drug problem or merely producing high arrest numbers ahead of political milestones.

As enforcement tightens, the true impact of these efforts remains to be seen—whether they bring lasting change or continue to follow election-driven cycles.