India, March 4 -- Nearly 5,000 people were apprehended and 280 arrested by the Delhi Police as part of a two-day crackdown against habitual offenders, bootleggers, drug peddlers, and other miscreants in southern parts of Delhi. "Operation Aaghat" was launched to prevent illegal activities during Holi celebrations, senior police officers said on Tuesday.

Nearly 2,500 police personnel from south districts carried out special area checks and verification drives on March 1 and 2. They also prosecuted over 500 people for consuming liquor in public places while 12 illegal firearms with 14 cartridges and 24 knives were recovered, officers said.

The police seized 475 vehicles and recovered 7.2 kg of marijuana, 12.7 gram of ecstasy (MDMA), 16,00...