HP forms all-woman cell to nab drug couriers on Punjab border

FEMALE COURIERS ON ITS RADAR, THE POLICE CELL COMPRISES 14 PERSONNEL, HAS CONDUCTED RAIDS IN BORDER VILLAGES

DHARAMSHALA: With Kangra seeing increase in the number of women becoming involved in drug peddling, and smuggling on the border with Punjab, the district police have constituted an all-woman anti-narcotics cell to curb the menace.

In its extensive drive against drugs launched in April last, the police have so far arrested 40 women under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985. Apart from it, 25 women were booked under the Excise Act for brewing illicit liquor.

Most of the arrests have been made in Indora and Nurpur area, which share their boundaries with Punjab. During the investigation, it was revealed that the drug peddlers use women as couriers. Most drug peddlers travel with women couriers in public transport, posing as couple. Police would find it difficult to identify and carry out instant frisking of the suspects.

Kangra superintendent of police (SP) Sanjeev Gandhi said the decision to form the cell was taken last year and was implemented at the crime meeting held in the second week of February this year. “The cell has started functioning. Comprising of 14 women personnel, the cell is headed by a sub-inspector rank officer,” said Gandhi. Initially, the cell has conducted raids at various places in the border villages of Bhadroa, Channi, Damtal and Indora. “The new initiative will definitely yield results in the coming days and we will strengthen the cell as per need,” said Gandhi.

Interestingly, the SP said, it is the womenfolk, who are providing valuable information and tipoffs to the police in the drive against drug mafia. “Mahila mandals in the affected villages have openly come out in support of the police and are helping us in eradicating the menace,” he said.

Last year, beginning from April, a total 358 cases under NDPS Act were registered in Kangra and 434 persons were arrested, a record number in the past five years. Police had recovered 40 kg of charas, 1,50,000 Provon Spas capsules, 250 gram heroin and 30,000 Alprax tablets while several chemist shops were raided. This year, till date, 63 cases of drug trafficking have been registered and 75 people have been arrested.

Kangra police have also launched a drive to identify properties of drug traffickers and are seizing them. For the first time, police have attached five such properties worth ₹3.5 crore in the district after it was found that the assets were made out of money earned through illegal means.