Srinagar, Jan 8: In a major drug bust, police in Srinagar intercepted a narcotics consignment “smuggled from Pakistan” and arrested two alleged drug peddlers, recovering 8 kilograms of heroin from them here, an official said.
The seized narcotics have an estimated value of over 30 crores in the international market. Police said.
Addressing the media here, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Srinagar, Imtiyaz Hussain said that during a routine checking at Barthana crossing, police intercepted a vehicle with two individuals onboard.
A thorough search of the vehicle (JK05D-1837) led to the discovery of six kilograms of heroin concealed beneath the driver’s seat, he said.
During the personal search of the individuals, another two kilograms of the narcotic substance were recovered from them, the SSP added.
The arrested individuals have been identified as Anas Ajaz Awan, son of Ajaz Ahmad Awan, a resident of Dildar Tangdar in Kupwara, and Zahid Ahmad Sheikh, son of Nazir Ahmad Sheikh, a resident of Channipora in Tangdar, Kupwara.
The narcotics and the vehicle used in the commission of the crime have been seized as evidence, the police officer said.
He stated that a case under sections 8/21 and 29 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act has been registered and further investigation is going on.
“Preliminary investigation has revealed that the recovered narcotics were smuggled from Pakistan as part of a cross-border drug trafficking network,” Hussain said.
He said police are actively pursuing both backward and forward linkages to dismantle this syndicate and identify all individuals involved in this illicit trade.
He said the police remain resolute in its mission to eradicate drug trafficking and ensure the safety of the community.
