ED Probes Punjab Doctor’s 22 De-Addiction Centres for Illegal Drug Sales
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is investigating 22 de-addiction centres in Punjab, allegedly operated by a prominent doctor, for their suspected role in illegally selling prescription drugs in the open market. These centres, meant to rehabilitate drug addicts, are now accused of diverting controlled substances like opioids and benzodiazepines into the black market.
How the Investigation Began
The ED’s probe is part of a money laundering case linked to Punjab’s illegal drug trade. The state has long struggled with an opioid crisis, and these centres allegedly exploited their medical licenses to procure and sell drugs illegally.
Sources reveal that the doctor—whose identity remains undisclosed—used these facilities to obtain psychotropic substances under false pretenses, later supplying them to drug peddlers. The ED is analyzing financial records, suspicious cash flows, and property acquisitions to trace the money trail.
De-Addiction Centres Turned Drug Hubs
Punjab’s drug epidemic has devastated countless families, and de-addiction centres were seen as a lifeline. This scandal, however, exposes a cruel irony—institutions meant to cure addiction allegedly profited from it instead.
A Punjab Police officer stated, “This is a moral betrayal. Families trusted these centres to save their loved ones, only to be exploited.”
The Alleged Scam: How It Worked
Investigators suspect the following modus operandi:
1. Bulk Procurement: Centres obtained large quantities of drugs like buprenorphine, tramadol, and alprazolam using forged prescriptions.
2. Black Market Sales: Staff allegedly sold these drugs to dealers instead of patients.
3. Fake Records: Fabricated patient logs hid the illegal activities from authorities.
Proceeds were reportedly laundered through shell companies and real estate investments.
Political Fallout and Govt Response
The scale of the operation—22 centres across multiple districts—has raised questions about administrative oversight. Opposition leaders, including AAP, have criticized the state government for failing to regulate these facilities.
In response, the Punjab Health Department announced a statewide audit of private de-addiction centres, vowing “zero tolerance for malpractice.”
What’s Next in the Investigation?
The ED is expected to summon the accused doctor and staff. The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) may also join to track the drug supply chain.
For Punjab, already scarred by drug abuse, this case highlights how deeply the narcotics trade has infiltrated systems meant to fight it. Families who relied on these centres are left asking: If rehab hubs can’t be trusted, where is the hope?
Stay updated on this developing story.
