Srinagar: Police on Sunday said it has arrested four drug peddlers in Anantnag and recovered “substantial quantity” of contraband substances from them.
Sharing details, a police spokesperson informed that during routine checking at Rakh Nowbug, police apprehended one Umar Rasheed Ganie of Nowbug Bijbehara, and recovered 295 grams of cannabis powder-like substance from his possession.
In another operation, acting on a specific tip-off, police conducted a search at the residence of Bashir Ahmad Dar, resident of Natipora. During the search, approximately 2.970 kilograms of cannabis powder-like contraband substance was recovered from the residential premises.
During the checking, police intercepted a vehicle (JK04D-2959) and recovered 4.4 kilograms of cannabis-like substance wrapped in corn husk, which was concealed in the cavities of both front doors of the vehicle. Additionally, cash amounting to ₹ 50,000 was also recovered from the possession of Sajad Ahmad Bhat of Dedmeribagh, Chadoora, Budgam, and Abdul Gani Dar, resident of Tulkhan, Bijbehara, travelling in the vehicle. Both persons were arrested.
Cases under relevant sections of law were registered for investigation to unravel the forward and backward links of the narcotics network, police said.
Meanwhile, police have also booked two “notorious” drug peddlers under the PIT NDPS Act and lodged them in jails outside the Valley to break their local drug network.
The individuals were identified as Feroz Ahmad Bhat of Akingam, Achabal, and Mohammad Ashraf Dar of Tulkhan, Bijbehara.
“Both were found to be repeatedly involved in drug peddling activities, posing a serious threat to the youth of the district despite multiple previous NDPS cases. After obtaining formal detention orders from the competent authority, Feroz Ahmad Bhat has been lodged in District Jail Rajouri, while Mohammad Ashraf Dar has been lodged in District Jail Poonch,” police said.
Separately, police also conducted raids at multiple locations including Beighpora, Chersoo, Kawani and Rajpora areas of Awantipora to curb the menace of narcotics and identify individuals involved in illegal drug related activities.
