Will not spare those into drug trade: Capt

CHANDIGARH: The Congress government in Punjab will not spare anyone involved in drug trade no matter what their political affiliations are, Punjab chief minister Captain Amarinder Singh on Friday said.

Addressing a press conference in Chandigarh in the wake of a massive seizure of heroin from a house in the Sultanwind area of Amritsar city, the CM asserted that his government will not allow drug smugglers, gangsters and narco-terrorists to spread their wings in the state.

“Punjab witnessed a massive decline in the number of deaths due to drug abuse after sustained efforts of our government and the police force. The deaths come down from 114 in 2018 to 47 in 2019. We will not give up the fight against drugs till the problem is rooted out completely,” he said.

The CM said Anwar Masih from whose house 194 kilogram heroin along with chemicals was recovered early Friday was appointed by the previous Akali Dal government as a member of the Subordinate Services Board.

“Probe is on to ascertain Masih’s involvement who claims to have rented out the house to those involved in drug trade. He has failed to produce any written rent agreement and the people of the area are also unaware of any tenants living there,” he said.

Initial probe suggested the network is linked with druglord Simranjit Sandhu who was recently detained in Italy, he claimed. “We will seek remand of Sandhu who holds an Australian passport. Interrogation of Sandhu and further probe will lead to others involved in the case, he said.