Officers to eradicate drug dens in their area or face legal action: CCPO Lahore

CCPO Tahir says that a special campaign against drug pushers resulted in the arrest of 1,269 culprits.

LAHORE: Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Ahmad Raza Tahir has directed police officers to ensure eradication of drug dens in their areas or face legal action.

The CCPO, who is also the Chairman of Lahore Drug Free City Project, was talking to the media on Tuesday during a prize distribution ceremony to commend officers for their excellent performance in arresting drug pushers.

Tahir said that an effective and pragmatic methodology was being adopted by Lahore Police to uproot the scourge of drug pushing in the provincial capital, adding that during 2012, a special campaign was launched against drug dealers.

During the campaign, 1,223 cases were registered, 1,269 culprits were arrested and large amounts of drugs were recovered, including 35 kg of heroin, 146 kg charas, 11 kg opium, 45 intoxicating pills, 121 injections and 11,370 bottles of liquor.

Tahir further said that enforcement teams have been formed, working under the supervision of the Superintendent of Police (SP), State House Officer (SHO), ANFHC, Excise Inspector and Drug Inspector to eliminate drug dens.

He said that Lahore Police, in coordination with the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF), were determined to achieve the objectives of the Lahore Drug Free City Project. The CCPO said that the elimination of drug peddling was Lahore Police’s top priority.

Cash prizes worth one lakh and certificates were distributed amongst Inspector Muhammad Sadique, Imran Haydar, Sub-Inspector Abdul Razaq, Ibrar Hussain, Muhammad Raza, Assistant Sub-Inspector Abdul Hafeez and Nishan Ali.

Other present at the ceremony included Project Director ANF Altaf Qamar, Brigadier Shahid Afzal, Focal Person of Lahore Drug Free City Project, SSP Discipline and Inspection, Shariq Kamal and SSP Admn Tariq Abbas Qurashi.