14 Held, Contraband Seized In Multi-District Raids

(MENAFN- Kashmir Observer) Srinagar- A coordinated anti-narcotics crackdown across Kashmir led to the arrest of 14 alleged drug peddlers on Friday, as police intensified enforcement under the ongoing 100-day Nasha Mukt Jammu & Kashmir Abhiyaan.

Officials said the arrests and recoveries were made during naka checking and targeted raids in multiple districts, including Ganderbal, Anantnag, Budgam, Kupwara, Baramulla and Sopore, pointing to a Valley-wide push to disrupt both street-level supply and larger trafficking networks.

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In Ganderbal, police intercepted a vehicle and recovered 100 bottles of Codeine Phosphate, a commonly misused opioid-based cough syrup. In Anantnag, a series of operations resulted in the seizure of charas, heroin-like substances and poppy straw from several accused, indicating the continued presence of mixed narcotics in circulation.

A significant recovery was reported in Budgam, where over 2.7 kilograms of charas powder was seized from a residential premises, suggesting possible storage or distribution activity. In Kupwara, a vehicle-borne suspect was apprehended with a substantial quantity of a heroin-like substance.

Baramulla also saw multiple detentions, with four individuals found in possession of drug paraphernalia during checking. Their medical examination confirmed opioid consumption, officials said. In Sopore, police recovered psychotropic substances, including Spasmoproxyvon capsules and Alprazolam tablets, from an accused.

All the arrested individuals have been booked under relevant provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, and further investigations are underway to trace backward and forward linkages in the supply chain.

In a parallel move aimed at targeting the financial backbone of the trade, police in Budgam attached a vehicle worth around ₹4 lakh belonging to an alleged drug peddler under provisions of the NDPS Act.

Authorities also widened scrutiny of legal pharmaceutical channels. Inspections of medical stores were carried out in Sopore and Kupwara to ensure compliance with the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, with officials warning chemists against the illegal sale of prescription drugs.

Alongside enforcement, police stepped up community outreach. Awareness programmes, rallies and youth engagement initiatives were held in districts such as Shopian, Awantipora, Kupwara and Baramulla to highlight the risks of substance abuse and promote a drug-free lifestyle.

Anti-narcotics measures were further strengthened with the deployment of sniffer dog squads and the setting up of checkpoints at key locations, particularly in Ganderbal and Srinagar, to enhance detection and deter trafficking.

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Reaffirming its commitment, police said the campaign would continue with sustained enforcement, financial targeting of offenders, and community participation to curb the drug menace in the region.

Read Also Collective Force Has Risen Against Drugs: J&K LG Admin Demolishes Houses of Two Drug Peddlers on Jammu City Outskirts

Moreover, the district administration on Friday intensified its anti-narcotics crackdown by demolishing residential properties belonging to two alleged drug peddlers on the outskirts of Jammu, officials said.

Backed by a heavy police presence, bulldozers moved into Indira Nagar Colony in Miran Sahib, where the houses linked to the accused were razed as part of the ongoing drive.

Officials said the action was taken under provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, in line with the administration's broader push to dismantle the infrastructure supporting the drug trade.

The demolition was carried out under the supervision of Sub-Divisional Magistrate R S Pura Anuradha Thakur and Sub-Divisional Police Officer Gurmeet Singh.

The latest operation comes a day after three houses of alleged drug peddlers were demolished in the Rajiv Nagar locality, indicating a sustained escalation in enforcement measures.

Earlier, on April 18, authorities had brought down two more properties linked to NDPS-accused individuals in the Belicharana area.

Officials said the continued action forms part of a wider campaign aimed at curbing narcotics trafficking and signalling zero tolerance against those involved in the drug network.

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