Chandigarh, Aug. 14 -- Drug peddlers in Punjab are set for a tough time as the Union government has streamlined the centralised online portal, making it easier for law enforcement officials to freeze properties under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, cutting the time from several months to just one week.

The changes have been made after repeated requests from Punjab, with the Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) flagging long delays in obtaining freezing orders. ANTF works as the agency that coordinates with the district police to get the properties of drug peddlers frozen.

It is learnt that Punjab had raised the matter with the Centre, and the issue was also discussed at the northern zonal council meeting chaired b...