Punjab Police Busts Drug Trafficking Network Involving Jail Officials and Inmates in Hoshiarpur Central Jail

In a significant development amidst the ongoing anti-drug campaign ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh,’ Punjab Police has taken decisive action against a criminal network operating within the Hoshiarpur Central Jail. On the directions of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) of the Punjab Police has registered a First Information Report (FIR) against five jail officials, including the Jail Superintendent, and two inmates, who are accused of being involved in a large-scale drug trafficking operation. The FIR has been filed on charges of drug trafficking and criminal conspiracy.

The case came to light following a detailed investigation triggered by a report from the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Prisons, which revealed the collusion between certain jail officers and inmates in facilitating the trafficking of illegal narcotics inside the jail. This revelation has shocked the state’s prison system, which was believed to be secure from such criminal activities. The report highlighted how inmates had been using the corrupt practices of some jail officials to carry out drug smuggling operations from within the jail walls.

Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Nilabh Kishore, leading the investigation, confirmed that the FIR was registered based on findings from an inquiry into the organized drug smuggling operations within the Hoshiarpur Central Jail. The inquiry unearthed a well-coordinated nexus between jail officials and inmates, with the corrupt officials allegedly using their positions to allow the flow of illegal drugs into the prison. This deeply compromised the security and integrity of the correctional facility, allowing criminal elements to operate unchecked from within the jail.

The FIR was registered under various sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, including sections 21, 22, 29, and 59(2). These sections pertain to the illegal trafficking and possession of drugs, conspiracy, and misuse of authority by public servants. In a swift move, Punjab Police conducted simultaneous raids at 10 different locations on Saturday morning, as part of the ongoing investigation. Authorities expect more arrests and further actions to be taken as the investigation deepens, revealing the full scope of the smuggling network.

In light of the gravity of the situation, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been constituted to probe the matter further. The SIT is tasked with uncovering the entire smuggling operation, identifying all individuals involved, and holding them accountable for their actions. This move is part of the Punjab government’s larger push to crack down on drug trafficking and its infiltration into all sectors of society, including the prison system.

This development underscores the significant challenges the Punjab Police faces in its war against drugs and the extent to which criminal networks have embedded themselves in the state’s infrastructure. The involvement of jail officials in this illicit operation highlights the urgent need for systemic reforms within the state’s correctional facilities. The Punjab Police, under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, has vowed to continue its aggressive campaign to make Punjab a drug-free state. The actions of the Punjab Police in exposing this trafficking ring reflect their commitment to eradicating drug-related crimes, even when they involve individuals within the very institutions meant to uphold law and order.

As the investigation continues, there is hope that the dismantling of this network will serve as a deterrent to other corrupt officials and criminals who exploit the prison system for illegal activities. The Punjab Police is determined to ensure that such violations of trust and security are not tolerated, and that those involved in the trafficking of drugs, whether inside or outside of prison walls, face the full force of the law.

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