Srinagar: To protect the youth of Kashmir from the menace of drug addiction, the Jammu and Kashmir Police is acting tough on the war foot basis against the “narco terrorism” being spread from across the border to lure the youth in the Valley, said a police spokesperson.
“Apart from the recovery of psychotropic & other contraband substances on daily basis from the peddlers, a number of cases have been registered and drugs worth crores have been seized by the J&K police,” the spokesperson said.
The spokesperson further said: “During the current year till date, 306 NDPS cases have been registered and 445 drug peddlers have been arrested in Kashmir Valley. Huge quantity of contraband as well as psychotropic substances were recovered and seized which includes 22 kilograms Heroin worth about ₹100 crores, 100 kilograms charas worth about ₹88 crores, 01 kilogram brown sugar worth about ₹01 crore, 159 kilograms bhang, 1671 kilograms poppy straw, 576 kilograms fukki, 5448 bottles of banned syrup, 15641 banned tablets/capsules approximately. Besides the illegal substances, cash amounting ₹303088, believed to be proceeds of drugs has also seized from the drug peddlers.”
“Out of 306 NDPS cases, 49 NDPS cases have been registered & 61 drug peddlers have been arrested in Anantnag, 39 NDPS cases & 68 drug peddlers arrested in Kulgam, 32 NDPS cases & 43 drug peddlers arrested in Baramulla, 27 NDPS cases & 46 drug peddlers arrested in Srinagar and 26 NDPS cases & 29 drug peddlers arrested in Pulwama. Also, 219 drug peddlers have been arrested in South Kashmir Range, 138 drug peddlers in North Kashmir Range & 88 drug peddlers arrested in Central Kashmir Range. Among them, 36 arrested drug peddlers were detained under Public Safety Act (PSA) after obtaining sanctions from the Competent Authority,” he said.
“Pertinent to mention here that since the year 2020, J&K Police have seized 464 kilogram of narcotic substances worth about ₹424 Cr which includes 59 kilograms of Heroin worth about ₹300 Cr, 51 kilograms of brown sugar worth about ₹120 Cr & 355 kilograms of charas worth about ₹04 Cr. Besides, many terrorist associates have also been arrested and hard cash of more than 01 crore has also been seized. Apart from drugs, Arms & ammunition including 01 AK rifle, 96 rounds, 9 Pistols with 18 magazines & 263 rounds and 29 hand grenades have also been recovered from the narco-terrorism modules. The recoveries have exposed the inter connection between drug dealers and terrorists,” the spokesperson said.
“One of the narco-terror cases in Handwara has been assigned to the National Investigation Agency (NIA) which has completed a part of the investigation, taken custody of the accused traffickers from the Police and arrested some of them. The NIA has filed its charge-sheet for prosecution in a designated court in Jammu,” he said.
The spokesperson further said: “As per the police records, these narco terror modules work in close connection with Pakistan based terror handlers. During the investigation of these narco terrorism cases, it has been learnt that the terrorist groups operating in Kashmir Valley receive financial help from these narco modules. These modules work for terrorists to strengthen their activities in the valley and are playing active role in misguiding and motivating the local youth of the Valley to join terrorist ranks.”
“To save the society from this menace, Police is seeking cooperation from the community members to come forward with any information regarding drug peddlers in their neighbourhood. Persons found indulging in drug peddling will be dealt as per law. Our consistent actions against drug peddlers should reassure the community members that we are making efforts to keep our society free from the scourge of drug menace,” he added.
