Drug trade: Himachal forms all-woman cell to nab drug couriers on Punjab border

With Kangra witnessing unprecedented increase in the number of women becoming involved in drug paddling, the district police have constituted an all-women anti-narcotic cell to curb the menace.

 With Kangra witnessing unprecedented increase in the number of women becoming involved in drug paddling, the district police have constituted an all-women anti-narcotic cell to curb the menace. 

A team of Himachal police's women anti-narcotic cell carrying out search during a campaign against drug mafia in Nurpur area of Kanga district on Monday.(HT Photo)

In its extensive drive against drug mafia launched in April last year, the district police have so far arrested 40 women under Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances 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 the drug-infested state Punjab. During the investigation, it was revealed that the drug paddlers use women as couriers. Most drug paddlers 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 a woman anti-trafficking 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 tip-offs 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 in the state, police have attached five such properties worth ₹3.5 crore in the district after it was proved in the investigations under the NDPS Act that the assets were made out of money earned through illegal means, primarily drug trafficking. 

Thirty more properties are under investigation.