With Hawala channels blocked, drug money fuels illegal activities: Police

Srinagar, Apr 17: Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Kupwara, Ghulam Jeelani on Thursday said that anti-national elements are now turning to drug smuggling as a source of funding, following the crackdown on Hawala channels and the terror ecosystem in the region.
Jeelani said, “With the Hawala channels and terror ecosystem being choked, drug smuggling has now become a preferred method for financing illegal activities.”
The SSP also noted that the nexus is being monitored closely with Police committed to breaking these networks through strong intelligence gathering and public cooperation.
Speaking specifically about Tangdhar, the SSP said that the region’s challenging topography makes it vulnerable to infiltration and smuggling. “Tangdhar’s terrain is such that one could slip through anyhow — either for infiltration or to bring in arms, narcotics and other illegal consignments. We already have several narco-terror FIRs registered there,” he added.
The SSP, however, said that to counter the same, they have enhanced security arrangements including the deployment of women BSF and police personnel to check smuggling attempts, especially by female carriers.
This statement of Police comes on the heels of a major operation in which three drug smugglers, including a notorious woman trafficker from South Kashmir were arrested in Kupwara.
SSP Jeelani in a press conference reiterated the police department’s zero-tolerance policy against drug trafficking, particularly in areas that can be exploited as corridors for both narcotics and arms smuggling.
He also issued a stern warning to those still involved in the trade, assuring that legal consequences, including property attachment, await all offenders.
The SSP further stressed the vital role of community involvement in curbing this menace. “We value the support of the people. Together we will root out this menace”, adding that timely information from locals has led to several successful operations. (KNO)