Shimla: In a preventive crackdown on drug trafficking, Shimla police have detained 51 drug peddlers under the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (PIT-NDPS) Act in 2026 so far—a sharp rise from three detentions in 2025 and zero in 2023 and 2024.In the latest drive conducted on Nov 4 and 5, eight repeat offenders were detained for three months following orders from the competent authority and subsequently lodged in Model Central Jail, Kanda.The eight detainees are Amit Luthra (a native of Hoshiarpur, Punjab, currently residing in Shimla), Sunil Kumar of Theog, Attar Singh of Chaupal, Mahesh Thakur of Shimla, Rubbal Jadaik of Kotkhai, Gopi Chand of Jubbal, Raju Chauhan of Kumarsain, and Mohit Verma of Shimla.All eight individuals have between two and four NDPS cases registered against them. Attar Singh, Rubbal Jadaik, and Raju Chauhan face four cases each, while the remaining five face two cases each.Police stated the preventive detentions under the 1988 Act are aimed at stopping habitual traffickers and suppliers from resuming illegal operations post-release, adding that such measures alongside routine arrests will continue to curb trafficking and shield youth from drug abuse.
