Mohali cops mark six drug pockets

MOHALI: The district administration has identified six drug-abuse pockets in the district for a targeted de-addiction campaign and senior superintendent of police (SSP) Kuldeep Singh Chahal has formed spy teams for these areas.


Most of these pockets are around various colleges. Deputy commissioner Girish Dayalan said: "Police have been advised to support Dapos (drug abuse prevention officers) in these pockets for achieving the target.

The Dapos in Mohali have failed to bring even a single addict to the nearest rehabilitation or OOAT (outpatient opioid assisted treatment) centres. Dayalan said: "Identification of drug-abuse-prone zones is part of a recent, three-pronged policy of enforcement, de-addiction and prevention."

The drug pockets are in Landran, Banur, Zirakpur, Gharuan, Kurali, and Mullanpur, where police are out to drive away and arrest drug runners. They made a few arrests near private colleges in Gharuan and Banur, besides some Zirakpur night clubs, recently. SSP Chahal said: "The objective is to make the district drug-free and break the supply line and customer base of drug traders. Cops from the crime branch will track them."

The operation will be coordinated with a special task force (STF) formed to eradicate drugs trade from the district. Last year, the district administration had adopted Gharuan village for drug-eradication campaign. The administration has been carrying on this mission with the active support of villagers and village chiefs.