Following the recent recovery of RDX, smack and heroin from nearby areas of Patiala, the police have been put on high alert to avoid any untoward incident.

On Sunday night, the police arrested five more persons and recovered 500 grams of smack from their possession. Last week, the police had recovered 2.5 kg RDX and 3 detonators in addition to 1 kg of heroin worth over Rs 3 crore.

According to sources in the Police department, the villages around Patiala have been put under strict vigil.

“The recent visit of Punjab Director General of Police P S Gill and his briefing to senior Patiala officers also holds significance, as just after the visit the policemen not only arrested numerous drug peddlers but also recovered RDX,” said a police officer.

According to Devinder Singh Dhuri, DSP (Rural) Patiala, various points have been sealed to prevent the entry of contrabands in the villages in Patiala. Special operations and nakas have also been carried out.

A senior officer told Newsline that the police have got information about the circulation and subsequent use of fake currency. “Due to the state’s proximity to Haryana, the peddlers are trying to sneak into Punjab through Samana and thus Patiala is their first target,” said the officer.