New Delhi, May 12 : Approving Delhi's first dedicated Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) Police Station, Lieutenant Governor (L-G) T.S. Sandhu on Tuesday set a collective goal of 'Drug-Free Delhi' by 2027.

He announced the two decisions while setting in motion the destruction of 1,700 kg of seized narcotics worth Rs 72 crore at an incineration facility, an official said.

"This morning, I also joined the destruction, of seized narcotics, at Jahangirpuri -- a strong message against drugs, and organised crime," L-G Sandhu said.

The Lieutenant Governor also appealed to the youth to avoid addiction and lead a purposeful life.

"I urge the youth to choose purpose over peer pressure. Together, we will ensure that drugs find no market, no shelter, and no acceptance in our National Capital," he said in a message on social media platform X.

L-G Sandhu noted that the Delhi Police are taking a decisive step toward dismantling the drug ecosystem in the national capital.

"Guided by the vision of PM @narendramodi Ji and the resolve of Union Home Minister @AmitShah Ji, we have set a collective goal for a 'Drug-Free Delhi' by 2027," he said on X.

"To strengthen this mission, I am pleased to announce the approval for Delhi's first dedicated Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) Police Station. Our strategy focuses on dismantling the financial backbone of traffickers while prioritising community awareness through initiatives like 'Nasha? Not Cool'," L-G Sandhu added.

Earlier, the L-G chaired a Delhi Police programme for returning more than 12,600 phones to their original owners after law enforcers recovered these instruments from snatchers and thieves arrested across the national capital.

"I am informed that this year, Delhi Police have recovered around 16,000 devices, with a recovery rate of 74 per cent. More than 12,600 phones are being handed over today, across the districts simultaneously. These numbers reflect, the strength of technology-enabled policing," L-G Sandhu said.

Lauding 'Operation Vishwas', an ongoing initiative by the Delhi Police aimed at tracing and returning lost, stolen, or snatched mobile phones to their rightful owners, the L-G called upon citizens to join efforts of law enforcers in countering crime.

"Technology alone, cannot produce such results. Behind every recovered phone, is the hard work, of police personnel -- Constables, following leads, officers, coordinating verification, technical teams, analysing inputs, and district units, tracking movement," he said.

/IANS