Mann said his government had intensified its crackdown on drug syndicates since assuming office, resulting in the seizure of tonnes of narcotics and the arrest of several key operators. He claimed the action had disrupted supply chains and sent a strong deterrent signal. “We are not sparing anyone, no matter how influential,” he said.
Responding to a question, Mann agreed that Gujarat is increasingly being used as a transit and logistics hub by drug traffickers. He referred to a recent seizure by Punjab Police of narcotics worth around ₹20,000 crore from a port in Gujarat, describing it as evidence of the scale and sophistication of the networks involved. Mann said Punjab and Gujarat police forces were working in close coordination to dismantle cross-border and inter-state operations.
The Punjab Chief Minister also flagged international dimensions of the drug trade, stating that some accused were operating from overseas locations. “We have sought red-corner notices through the Union Home Ministry and brought these individuals under the Interpol scanner,” he said, adding that financial trails and foreign links were being systematically tracked.
Highlighting preventive measures, Mann said Punjab had installed an anti-drone system along the international border with Pakistan to stop cross-border drug drops and monitor hostile activity. He argued that technology-driven border management was critical to choking supply routes.
Alongside enforcement, Mann sought to project what he described as the “Punjab model” of governance, combining strict policing with social welfare. He highlighted Punjab’s healthcare policy that provides free treatment of up to ₹10 lakh per family, linked to Aadhaar, calling it an essential support system for vulnerable communities affected by addiction and poverty.
Taking a political swipe, Mann alleged that despite the BJP being in power in Gujarat for nearly three decades, the absence of a strong opposition had weakened accountability and governance outcomes. He said robust democratic competition was necessary to address complex challenges such as drug trafficking.
The press conference was attended by Aam Aadmi Party leaders Gopal Rai, Isudan Gadhvi, Gopal Italia, Chaitar Vasava and Manoj Sorathiya. Mann said drug control must remain above politics and called for sustained cooperation between states and central agencies to prevent the spread of narcotics across India.
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