Punjab: Drugs, cash, other valuables worth Rs 243.95 crore seized

Enforcement agencies have seized drugs, liquor, unaccounted-for cash, and freebies
worth Rs 243.95 crore in Punjab over the past month since the model code of conduct for the LS Elections came into force.

Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Sibin C said tight security arrangements have been made to conduct the elections in a free and fair manner. The highest amount of cash, liquor, narcotics, and other items worth Rs 158.76 crore have been seized by the Punjab police from March 16 till April 17.

Since March 16, the police have seized cash worth Rs 2.49 crore, liquor valued at Rs 7.06 crore, drugs costing Rs 148.21 crore, valuables worth Rs 25.6 lakh, and other items worth Rs 74.2 lakh. Similarly, the State Excise Department seized liquor worth Rs 6.77 crore and drugs worth Rs 2 lakh, while the BSF seized drugs and narcotics worth Rs 19.66 crore, valuables worth Rs 40 lakh, and cash worth Rs 36 lakh.

Apart from this, drugs worth Rs 45.92 crore, cash worth Rs 3.15 crore, valuables costing Rs 8.84 crore, and other valuables worth Rs 6 lakh have been seized by various agencies. This brings the total tally of seizures to Rs 243.95 crore.