Pakistan based handlers pushing drugs inside JK: SSP Baramulla

Baramulla, Feb 13: Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Baramulla, Amod Nagpure on Monday said that Pakistan based handlers under well-hatched conspiracy are using smugglers to push drugs inside Jammu and Kashmir to spread drug addiction among youth of the Union Territory.
Addressing a press conference here at DPO Baramulla, SSP Baramulla, said that Police have arrested four such drug suppliers along with contraband material and cash.
He said on a specific information regarding smuggling of narcotics in Kamalkote area of Uri in Baramulla, a Naka was established at Sultan Daki area and during checking, a vehicle was signaled to stop but it tried to flee and was tactfully stopped.
“Later, four people were arrested along with 1.17 Kgs of Brown Sugar and a cash of Rs 25.39 Lacs. They have been identified as Naseer Ahmad Bhatti, son of Nazar Din Bhatti, Mohd Pazeer, son of Abdul Majeed Khanday, Reyaz Ahmad Khanday and Fayaz Ahmad Khanday—both sons of Mohammed Sharief Khanda—all residents of Uri.”
SSP while terming the arrest of four smugglers a ‘big lead’ and ‘big catch’, said they have got more leads and more such modules are expected to be busted soon.
He also said that their network is so strong and they are making every possible effort to stop drugs entering Jammu and Kashmir. “It’s all due to the people’s support and cooperation, such modules are being busted,” he said.
“We have identified the hotspots and will be using technical as well as human intelligence for such operations in the future,” he added.
In the ongoing year, Police in Baramulla have registered at least 20 NDPS cases while 29 drug peddlers have been arrested and contraband substances worth Rs 2 crores have also been seized so far in 2023. The vehicle including cash too has been seized from the arrested peddlers, SSP said.
He said that the mastermind smugglers, who are behind supplying drugs to the different places across Jammu and Kashmir, are their targets, which would be an effective measure in ending the drug menace in the society.
The SSP sought people’s support and cooperation and said that without support from citizens, it is impossible to take the fight to a logical conclusion. “We need your support. Reach out to us and share inputs on drug peddlers. Your identity will be kept confidential,” SSP said while appealing for cooperation from the people.
Asked about if there has been any action against those big drug peddlers, who have made huge properties, the SSP said that there is a provision under NDPS Act and properties of these people will be attached soon as the process in this regard is already going on.
To a query, whether the money seized from the drug peddlers are being used for militancy related activities, the SSP said that nothing can be said as of now and investigation in this regard has been taken up and SDPO Uri would be leading the investigating team in this regard.
Asked why the drug peddlers are being released soon after being arrested, he said that the arrested drug dealers are being released after bail and police are using a method that whosoever will get bail is booked under PSA so that he would remain in the preventive custody.