Cash, liquor & drugs valued at Rs 609 crore seized in Punjab

Representational image. Pic/iStock

Since March 1, enforcement agents in Punjab have confiscated materials worth Rs 609.38 crore, making it the country's fourth-largest seizure, according to state Chief Electoral Officer Sibin C.

The seizures include Rs 11.2 crore in cash, 27.95 lakh litres of spirits priced at Rs 18 crore, pharmaceuticals worth Rs 563.53 crore, Rs 14.94 crore in precious metals and Rs 1.69 crore in freebies.

Punjab is fourth nationwide in terms of seizures, trailing only Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, and Rajasthan. According to Sibin C, the state currently has 24 active enforcement agencies.

Since the Model Code of Conduct was implemented on March 16, seizures totalled Rs 514.81 crore. Punjab Police made the most seizures, totalling Rs 404.2 crore, followed by the Border Security Force (BSF) with Rs 23 crore and the Income Tax Department with Rs 9.28 crore. Other agencies also participated in the seizures.

Jalandhar had the greatest seizure, totalling Rs 141.25 crore, followed by Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Ferozepur, and Fazilka.

Punjab is set to hold elections for all 13 Lok Sabha seats on June 1.

With IANS inputs