According to the police, the action was taken after all due legal formalities were completed. (File image)
Sending a strong message out to drug traffickers, an illegally constructed property belonging to a drug smuggler was demolished at Gorakhnath Colony, Barhmajra, in Mohali on Thursday as part of the Punjab government’s ongoing anti-drug campaign ‘Yudh Nasheyan Virudh’.
The demolition was carried out under the supervision of the Balongi police station through a coordinated action by the Mohali police and the local village panchayat. The encroached structure was found to be illegally built on a panchayat land and belonged to Sanjay Shah, a resident of Gorakhnath Colony, who is involved in multiple cases related to drug trafficking, police said.
According to the police, the action was taken after all due legal formalities were completed. The drive was conducted under the supervision of SP (PBI) Deepika Singh and Kharar DSP Karan Singh Sandhu, in the presence of BDPO Stawant Singh Randhawa, with adequate police force deployed to maintain law and order during the operation, police said.
Mohali SSP Harmandeep Singh Hans said, “The accused has five FIRs registered against him, including three cases registered under the NDPS Act at Mohali Phase 1 and Balongi police stations. The demolished structure was part of the illegal assets created through proceeds of drug-related activities.”
“Under the Yudh Nasheyan Virudh campaign, sustained and coordinated action is being taken to break the financial backbone of drug smugglers. Illegal properties raised using drug money will not be allowed to exist,” the SSP said.
The SSP said the police will continue to take strict and uncompromising action against drug smugglers and their networks. “Our objective is not only to arrest offenders but also to dismantle the illegal infrastructure and assets generated through the drug trade, thereby ensuring a safer and drug-free society,” he added.