SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Police arrested nine alleged drug peddlers in separate operations across Anantnag, Baramulla, Bandipora, Handwara and Pulwama, recovering suspected narcotic substances, including poppy straw, charas and a heroin-like substance, police said on Wednesday.
In Anantnag, Bijbehara Police recovered 2.08 kg of poppy straw from Javaid Ahmad Mir, a resident of Batigund Laribal, during a checking operation. The motorcycle he was riding, bearing registration number PB46U-2485, was also seized.
In a separate operation at Kanelwan, police arrested Farooq Ahmad Sheikh, a local resident, and recovered 24 grams of charas from his possession. Police Post GBS also apprehended Gulzar Ahmad Shah, a resident of Khanabal, at Chee Tarbal Bridge and recovered 4.50 grams of charas from him.
In Baramulla, police arrested three persons during patrolling and checking at Gulnar Park, Azadgunj, and recovered approximately 16 grams of a heroin-like substance. The accused were identified as Faizan Majeed Teli alias Gunga, a resident of Banglow Bagh in Old Town; Aqib Ahmad Gojree, a resident of Gulnar Park; and Sahil Bashir Karnayi, a resident of Gousia Colony, Azadgunj. Police said six grams were recovered from Teli and five grams each from Gojree and Karnayi. Three syringes and seven lighters were also seized.
An Executive Magistrate and independent witnesses were present during the proceedings, police said. A case (FIR No. 167/2026) has been registered at Baramulla Police Station under Sections 8 and 21–29 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. The three accused are in police custody.
In Bandipora, police apprehended Shabir Ahmed Lone, a resident of Athwathoo, at Mantrigam Pethkote and recovered approximately 610 grams of a charas-like substance. A case (FIR No. 28/2026) has been registered at Pethkoot Police Station under Sections 8 and 20 of the NDPS Act.
In Handwara, a police party from Police Post Langate intercepted a motorcycle bearing registration number DL6SZ 0648 at Batpora Crossing during naka checking. The rider, Ashiq Hussain Mir, son of Ab Gabi Mir and a resident of Astanpora, Langate, was allegedly found carrying a charas-like substance. Police registered a case (FIR No. 257/2026) at Police Station Handwara and initiated an investigation.
In Pulwama, police recovered 4.520 kg of a poppy straw-like substance from an oil tanker intercepted at Kandizal near a bridge. The tanker, bearing registration number JK02CM-3937, was travelling from Kadlabal towards Kakapora when it was stopped. The substance was allegedly concealed behind the driver’s seat.
The driver was identified as Ajmehar Singh, son of Gurbachan Singh, a resident of Preet Nagar, Jammu. A case (FIR No. 101/2026) has been registered at Police Station Kakapora, and further investigation is underway.
Police said investigations in the cases were ongoing.