Drug Networks Face Heat Across Kashmir

(MENAFN- Kashmir Observer) Srinagar- Jammu and Kashmir Police on Tuesday intensified the ongoing“Nasha Mukt J&K Abhiyan” across Kashmir by destroying illegal poppy cultivation, arresting alleged drug peddlers, attaching properties and vehicles linked to narcotics trade, and launching awareness programmes in several districts.
Officials said coordinated anti-drug operations were carried out in Anantnag, Baramulla and Handwara with the assistance of magistrates and officials from the Excise, Revenue and Agriculture departments.

In Anantnag district, police destroyed illegally cultivated poppy crops in Batagund Verinag and registered FIR No. 76/2026 under relevant sections of law at Police Station Dooru.

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In Baramulla, police teams along with officials from the Excise and Agriculture departments conducted operations in Tangmarg and Kunzer areas, where illegal poppy cultivation spread across agricultural land was identified and destroyed on the spot. Cases under the NDPS Act were registered and investigations initiated.

In Uri, police arrested one Faisal Ahmed Khan after recovering charas-like sticks wrapped in corn husk from his possession during naka checking at Zero Morh Daragutlian.

In a first-of-its-kind initiative, Anantnag Police also installed a GPS-enabled tracking anklet on an accused released on bail in an NDPS case to monitor his movements and ensure compliance with court directions.

Read Also Illegal Property Linked to Drug Peddler Demolished in Srinagar We Will Tear Out Roots of Narco-Terror from J&K: LG

In Handwara, police destroyed illicit poppy cultivation in Mangwalpora Kralgund and registered FIR No. 31/2026 under Section 8/18 of the NDPS Act against an accused identified as Reyaz Ahmad Wani.

Police also secured cancellation of 14 driving licences and two vehicle registration certificates of persons allegedly involved in NDPS cases as part of the crackdown on narcotics networks in Handwara.

Officials said police carried out anti-drug awareness programmes, public rallies, naka checking and community outreach campaigns in Handwara and Awantipora, urging people to cooperate in efforts to eradicate drug abuse and trafficking from society.

Meanwhile, police arrested five alleged drug peddlers in Anantnag, Baramulla and Ganderbal and recovered contraband substances from their possession.

In Anantnag, police arrested a wanted heroin supplier identified as Imtiyaz Ahmad Dar alias Christian during naka checking at Chechripora bypass crossing in Dialgam. Officials said heroin-like substance was recovered from his possession.

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In Ganderbal, three persons travelling in a Scorpio vehicle were arrested after police recovered heroin-like substance during naka checking at Dumkadal Chowk. The accused were identified as Jahingir Ahmad Jan alias Jana, Junaid Zahoor Bhat and Jahangir Ahmad Bhat. The vehicle used in the alleged crime was also seized.

Police said cases under relevant sections of law were registered at respective police stations and further investigation was underway.

In another major action, Srinagar Police demolished an alleged illegal two-storey structure built on state land at Haka Bazar in Lal Bazar area, which officials said was linked to a wanted drug peddler involved in multiple NDPS cases.

The property, spread over around nine marlas and estimated to be worth Rs 1.5 crore, was allegedly linked to Arshid Ahmed Sheikh. The demolition was carried out in the presence of an Executive Magistrate and officials of the Srinagar Municipal Corporation.

In Pulwama, police also attached a vehicle allegedly used in narcotics trafficking in connection with an NDPS case registered at Pulwama Police Station.

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