Chandigarh: The Punjab Police has initiated a three-day statewide operation targeting hawala operators accused of facilitating drug-money transactions. This drive marks the next phase of the anti-drug campaign, Yudh Nashian Virudh.
Focus on Financial Networks
Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav stated that the campaign is specifically aimed at dismantling the financial networks that sustain narcotics trafficking. He emphasized that the police have adopted a robust financial disruption strategy to identify, trace, freeze, and confiscate assets generated through drug trafficking.
Arrests and Seizures
According to the DGP, the campaign has so far resulted in the arrest of 73 hawala operators and the seizure of Rs 10 crore in hawala money. Since 2022, assets worth more than Rs 830 crore have been frozen under Section 68F of the NDPS Act, while over 1,727 property-freezing proposals have been confirmed by the competent authority.
Recovery of Drug Proceeds
Since March 1 of this year, the police have also recovered more than Rs 20 crore in drug proceeds from accused individuals. The latest drive seeks to target the financial backbone of narcotics networks by tracking illegal money flows and disrupting funding channels used by drug traffickers.
