Drugs smuggling remained unabated during Assembly polls in Punjab

New Delhi, Feb 22 (IANS) Huge quantity of drugs continued to be smuggled in Punjab during the Assembly polls in the state, Narcotic Control Bureau (NCB) data suggest.

The NCB was keeping a close vigil on the drug smuggling cases in all the election-bound states, during which as many as 14 cases related to the seizure of drugs were reported from Punjab, which went to the polls in a single phase on February 20.

The agency constituted special teams to keep a check on drug smuggling during the Assembly elections in five states.

An NCB source said that the state police and other agencies also participated in the special operations being launched by the NCB.

"We recovered 105 kg heroin worth Rs 315 crore from Punjab. Apart from this, we seized 1,510 kg ganja and 1,870 kg hashish. One was held in a case pertaining to the seizure of hashish and ganja, while several others are still on the run," said the source.

Most of the drugs "might have" been smuggled in from across the border, which is a matter of grave concern, the source added.

In Uttar Pradesh, where elections are still underway, the NCB has lodged 10 cases and arreated 17 persons. Elevan persons involved in drugs smuggling are still at large in the state.

In Uttrakhand, only one case was lodged and four were held for supplying herion.

In Goa, the NCB seized drugs worth Rs 2 crore.