Police in North Kashmir have busted three drug trafficking networks, seizing 6 kgs of narcotics worth Rs 43 crore and arresting eight individuals.
In an ongoing campaign against drug abuse, police conducted three separate operations across North Kashmir, recovering around 6 kgs of heroin and brown sugar worth an estimated Rs 43 crores. These coordinated efforts in Baramulla, Kupwara, and Handwara districts led to the detention of eight individuals.
"Three FIRs under relevant sections of the NDPS Act have been registered in the concerned police stations of the North Kashmir Range (NKR) Baramulla," a police official said.
In Baramulla (FIR No. 243/2024 under sections 8/21, 29 of the NDPS Act), 2.695 kgs of heroin-like substance was recovered, resulting in the arrest of three individuals.
In Karnah (FIR No. 58/2024 under sections 8/21, 29 of the NDPS Act), 2.884 kgs of heroin-like substance was recovered, with four individuals arrested.
In Handwara (FIR No. 193/2024 under section 8/21 of the NDPS Act), 465 grams of brown sugar-like substance was recovered, with one person arrested.
The particulars of those arrested are as follows:
1. District Baramulla: Nazim Din Tass (S/O Alamdin Tass, R/O Zamboor Pattan Uri), Waqar Ahmad Khawaja (S/O Abdul Rouf Khawaja, R/O Tangdhar Kupwara), Manzoor Ahmad (R/O Handwara).
2. District Kupwara: Sajad Ahmad Gorsi (S/O Wali ur Rehman, R/O Amrohi), Mohd Ismail Gorsi (S/O Faqeer Mohd, R/O Amrohi), Majid Ahmad Sheikh (S/O Mohd Yousuf, R/O Tangdar Bakhayan), Nisar Ahmad Badan (S/O Mohd Suliaman, R/O Amrohi Karnah).
3. PD Handwara: Javid Ahmad Sofi (S/O Ab Razaq Sofi, R/O Khumbal Handwara).
According to a parliamentary standing committee on social justice and empowerment, approximately 1.35 million drug users are estimated to be in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Illegal drug trafficking remains a critical issue with far-reaching consequences for individuals, families, and the community. The Jammu and Kashmir Police have implemented various coordinated and multi-pronged measures to address the drug menace.