LAHORE - Punjab Police have claimed to smash 380 criminal gangs and arrested their 1,360 members by launching a special drive against criminals across the province during last two months. This was disclosed at a meeting held to review the drive under the chairmanship of Inspector General of Police Punjab Tariq Saleem Dogar at Central Police Office here on Friday. The meeting was informed that the police also recovered stolen valuables worth Rs 143 million from the gangsters. The meeting was also informed that a huge cache of illegal arms had been recovered from 8,355 persons and cases have been registered against them. While addressing the meeting, the IG Punjab directed the field police officers to take effective steps for the elimination of organised criminal gangs in their respective areas with the cooperation of local notables so that the protection of peoples lives and property could be ensured in the province.