100 families involved in drug smuggling, aiding infiltrators identified: Police

Baramulla, Apr 17: Baramulla Police on Thursday said that it has identified 100 families, who have relatives across the Line of Control, for their involvement in illegal activities. As per police, 100 such families, whose links have been established are out of the 1,600 families who have relatives across the LoC.

Addressing a press conference, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Baramulla, Gurinderpal Singh said that while communication with relatives across the Line of Control (LoC) is not illegal when done lawfully, a concerning portion of these families have been aiding drug peddlers and infiltrators.

"Out of these 100 families, five are actively involved in drug trafficking, and we have already registered cases against them. The legal process to seize their properties is currently underway," the SSP said.  While giving details of the war against drugs in Baramulla district, the SSP Baramulla said that, during 2024, under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, Baramulla Police arrested 249 individuals and seized properties worth Rs 4.5 crore, including 24 vehicles. He said in the current year, 27 cases have been registered, leading to the arrest of 33 individuals and the seizure of two vehicles so far.

Additionally, 39 major drug kingpins have been identified and arrested. “The menace of contraband substances is a serious issue. All officers are actively working on it, and regular high-level meetings are being held to review progress,” the SSP said. He said the Baramulla district currently has one police-run drug de-addiction centre, which treats one patient on an average each day.  "In 2024, 360 individuals underwent treatment, while more than 400 have already been treated in 2025," he said.

Police are also focusing on awareness campaigns, especially among school and college students, who are identified as vulnerable groups. To enforce the law, Baramulla Police have set up a new training centre for police personnel and acquired advanced equipment to help officers stay updated with recent legal reforms.

Under the new criminal laws, properties amassed by drug smugglers, especially those valued in crores, can be seized and redistributed to the victims. “We have already initiated action under these provisions to ensure that victims are compensated,” the SSP said. The SSP Baramulla while addressing media persons said that the police have adopted a victim-friendly approach under the new laws. He said victims can now report incidents via WhatsApp, SMS, or phone calls, and First Information Report (FIR) can be filed.

"Even if the crime occurred in the past or the complainant is outside the Union Territory, their statements can be recorded through videography," the SSP said. “We are committed to a multi-level war against drugs and will continue to strengthen our legal and social response,” the SSP added.