Foreigners, women among over 2,500 drug peddlers arrested by Himachal police under special drive

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In a significant achievement in its war against drugs, the Himachal Pradesh Police have arrested more than 2,500 persons under the NDPS Act in 2024.
Among those arrested were seven women and two foreign nationals, reflecting the extensive reach of the anti-drug campaign. Shimla emerged as the hotspot, with 473 men and 17 women arrested, the highest across 12 districts.
The data, presented by the Additional Chief Secretary (Home) to Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, was also shared during a meeting of northern states chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah recently.
The figures highlight the persistent challenge posed by drug networks in the region. The two foreign nationals were nabbed in Solan and Sirmaur districts.
District-specific data showed varying arrest patterns. Baddi accounted for the arrest of 94 men and seven women, while Bilaspur saw 288 men and five women arrested. In Kangra, 235 men and nine women were caught, whereas Kullu reported 215 men and 16 women under custody.
Notable arrests were also reported from Mandi, Una, and Chamba, signalling the widespread nature of the problem.
Despite the crackdown, a concerning trend emerged: a conviction rate of only 27.39%. Of the 1,070 NDPS cases resolved in 2024, 293 resulted in convictions, while 777 accused were acquitted. Investigative shortcomings and insufficient evidence were cited as primary reasons for the acquittals.
Himachal Pradesh has taken steps to address the issue, including attaching illegal properties worth Rs 21.5 crore and establishing 42 special courts for NDPS cases. However, systemic gaps remain.
The state forensic lab in Junga lacks a scientific officer, delaying the resolution of critical cases. Similar divisions proposed for Mandi and Dharamshala remain under consideration, underlining the urgent need for resources to strengthen enforcement.

Sunil Chadda

Sunil Chadda

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