Action against drug menace continues, 12 peddlers held
Srinagar: In its continued and intensified crackdown against drug trafficking and substance abuse, Police achieved major success apprehending 12 drug peddlers including a woman peddler, and seized significant quantity of narcotic substances in multiple operations, a police spokesman said Tuesday.
He said that a police party during routine patrolling at Seer Hamdan near Cricket Stadium on Sandooz Road intercepted a suspicious person. During search, 530 grams of charas powder-like substance and 3.345 Kgs of grinded poppy straw were recovered from his possession. He has been identified as Ishfaq Ahmad Mir son of Ghulam Mohammad Mir resident of Seer Hamdan.
Similarly, Police in Bijbehara during naka checking at NHW-44, Landing Strip Bijbehara, apprehended two drug peddlers identified as Talib Gull Shah son of Gull Mohammad Shah resident of Qaimoh Khudwani and Aqib Ahmad Malik son of Gull Mohammad Malik resident of Railway Colony Sadoora, Anantnag. During their search, 8.18 grams of brown sugar-like substance (along with polythene) was recovered from their possession, the spokesman added.
Moreover, Police in Bijbehara apprehended one drug peddler identified as Shafqat Ahmad Sofi son of Mohammad Yousuf Sofi resident of Qaimoh Khudwani during naka checking at Railway Crossing Hassanpora, Bijbehara. During search, 5.58 grams of brown sugar-like substance (along with polythene) was recovered from his possession.
Meanwhile, Police apprehended one drug peddler identified as Jaffar Mushtaq Dar son of Mushtaq Ahmad Dar resident of Tulkhan during naka checking at Tulkhan Road, Bijbehara. During his search, 49 grams of charas (sticks), concealed in corn flakes, was recovered from his possession, the spokesman added.
Furthermore, a police party near Dialgam at a checkpoint established at Laalan Bypass intercepted a suspicious woman who tried to flee from the spot but was apprehended tactfully. During her personal search, contraband substance, apparently heroin-like in nature, was recovered from her possession.
In Handwara, police arrested two drug peddlers in twin operations at Bullinard Crossing, Vilgam and Chogul. They have been identified as Ghulam Mohammad Lone son of Habib Ullah Lone resident of Reddi Chowkibal and Irshad Ahmad Pandit @ Iri Pandit son of Abdul Rasheed Pandit resident of Braripora Handwara. During search, Charas and Gaanja like substance were recovered from their possession, the spokesman added.
He said that in a major breakthrough against drug trafficking, Police in Kulgam successfully dismantled a drug network by arresting three accused, including a key kingpin, and recovering a significant quantity of heroin along with cash.
On the basis of reliable information received from a credible source, it was learnt that two individuals Hilal Ahmad Ganai son of Ghulam Mohiuddin Ganai resident of Kanispora, and Parvaz Ahmad Bhat son of Mohammad Abdullah Bhat resident of Wagoora, were involved in smuggling and selling narcotic contraband (Heroin). The information further revealed that they were transporting the contraband from Banihal towards Qazigund via NH-44 in a vehicle (Baleno) with the intention to supply it among local youth. Acting promptly, Police Station Qazigund registered FIR No. 108/2026 under relevant sections of the NDPS Act and initiated investigation.
A naka was laid at Choimulla leading to the interception of the said vehicle. Both accused were apprehended, and during their search, 50 grams of Heroin-like substance was recovered. The vehicle used in the commission of offence was also seized, the spokesman added.
During investigation, the first backward linkage was established, leading to the identification of a major supplier and kingpin Sadiq Hussain @ Showki son of Mareed Ali resident of Rakh Barothian, Vijaypur (Samba).
Subsequently, a search warrant was obtained from the competent court, and a police team from Qazigund, with the help of Samba Police, conducted a raid at the accused’s residence in Samba. The team successfully apprehended the accused. During the search of his premises, particularly a stable, 152 grams of Heroin and ₹52,000 cash were recovered, he said.
Preliminary investigation has revealed that the accused kingpin was operating a well-organized drug network with a large number of clients across Jammu & Kashmir, supplying narcotics on a daily basis and causing severe damage to society, especially the youth. Further investigation is going on as more arrests and recoveries are expected. The vehicle involved is also being processed for legal action under relevant provisions of law.
Police also arrested a drug peddler in Shopian and recovered contraband substance from his possession.
Acting on specific information, Police in Shopian registered a case under FIR No. 81/2026 of NDPS Act. A team from Police Station Shopian accompanied by the Executive Magistrate, raided the house of Obaid Shamim Ganaie son of Mohammad Shamim Ganaie resident of Pinjoora. During the search, 5Kgs of Charas-like substance was seized and accused arrested on spot.
Further investigation is underway to establish forward and backward linkages and to dismantle the broader drug network involved.
Accordingly, cases under relevant sections of law have been registered at respective police stations and further investigation has been initiated, the spokesman added.
