J&K Police intensify anti-drug drive, arrests peddlers, attach properties

Srinagar, Apr 25: Jammu and Kashmir Police on Friday intensified crackdown against drug trafficking and related activities across Kashmir, attaching properties worth ₹3.5 crore, arresting 10 drug peddlers, detaining 12 habitual offenders under preventive laws and destroying illegal poppy cultivation in multiple districts.
The action was carried out under the ongoing ‘Nasha Mukt Jammu and Kashmir Abhiyaan’, with simultaneous enforcement, awareness and community outreach programmes conducted across several districts.
In Srinagar, police attached two immovable properties worth ₹3.5 crore under the NDPS Act in connection with a narcotics case. The properties, including double-storey residential houses with land in Noorbagh, were identified as proceeds of drug trafficking.
Across the Valley, 10 drug peddlers were arrested and contraband substances, including charas, heroin and psychotropic tablets, were recovered during naka checking and search operations in Anantnag, Sopore, Baramulla, Pulwama, Awantipora and Budgam. Vehicles used in transportation of narcotics were also seized.
In a separate action, police in Anantnag detained 12 repeat offenders under preventive provisions of law and lodged them in jail after obtaining orders from executive magistrates.
Police also destroyed illegal poppy cultivation at multiple locations in Anantnag, Shopian and Ganderbal, registering several FIRs under the NDPS Act. In Anantnag alone, poppy spread over 10 marlas of land was destroyed, while similar operations were carried out in Shopian’s Imamsahib area and Ganderbal’s Watlar and Darakhpora.
In Kupwara, police registered nine NDPS cases and intensified surveillance in identified drug hotspots, while also initiating action against absconders involved in narcotics cases.
Besides enforcement measures, police organised a series of drug awareness rallies and programmes in Baramulla, Awantipora, Ganderbal, Shopian and Sopore, involving students, youth and civil society members to spread awareness about the harmful effects of substance abuse.
In Pulwama, police conducted search operations, destroyed poppy cultivation, inspected medical shops and launched a cordon and search operation in identified drug hotspots.
Separately, police arrested two gamblers in Awantipora and seized stake money and playing cards from their possession.
Meanwhile, J&K Police urged the public to make use of the Emergency Response Support System (ERSS-112), a 24×7 integrated helpline for emergencies, including accidents, law and order situations, medical and fire incidents.
Police reiterated its commitment to dismantling drug networks and appealed to the public to cooperate and share information to help build a drug-free society. (KNO)