Srinagar: Police on Wednesday claimed to have foiled two separate drug trafficking attempts, saying over 40 kilograms of narcotic contraband was seized in Anantnag and Pulwama districts.
One drug peddler was arrested, while the other is absconding, said a police spokesperson.
In Anantnag, he said a police team from Pahalgam deputed for census duty in Awoora village was heading towards Awoora Nallah, when they noticed a suspicious individual pushing a wheelbarrow loaded with multiple sacks. On spotting the police vehicle, the man abandoned the cart and escaped into the adjoining forest area, the spokesperson said.
The police team immediately secured the wheelbarrow and inspected the sacks, inside which they found half-dried ‘bhang’ (cannabis) leaves weighing 24.50 kilograms.
A case was registered and an investigation was initiated.
During the probe, police identified the accused as Ghulam Nabi Khatana, a resident of Awoora Nallah. He is currently absconding and efforts are underway to apprehend him, the police spokesperson said.
At a checkpoint in Newa Pulwama, police arrested one Rafiq Ahmad Shah, and recovered 16.5 kilograms of cannabis powder-like substance from his possession, the spokesperson said.
Shah was arrested and a case has been registered, he added.
