192 peddlers arrested, 140 cases registered in Baramulla in year 2024

Baramulla, Dec 11: In a push against the drug menace, Police in Baramulla arrested 192 drug peddlers and registered 140 cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act since January this year.

“The crackdown reflects our concerted effort to curb the proliferation of drugs and dismantle networks involved in narcotics trade in Kashmir,” a senior Police officer from Baramulla said.

The official data accessed by Greater Kashmir reveal that in a year marked by intensified anti-drug operations, substantial quantities of narcotics were seized that included 8.353 kg brown sugar, 3.390 kg heroin, 4.871 kg charas, 33.488 kg charas powder, 76.530 kg poppy straw, 14.774 kg bhung powder, and 2.250 kg cannabis leaves.

In addition, the officer said, smaller quantities of opium, codeine phosphate-based syrups, and tablets were also confiscated.

The Police also seized Rs 14,31,400 in cash, believed to be linked to drug transactions, and confiscated 14 vehicles, including trucks, SUVs, motorcycles, and an auto-rickshaw, suspected to have been used in drug transportation.

To dismantle the financial networks of drug peddlers, Police froze or confiscated significant properties under the NDPS Act.

These include 10 houses valued at Rs 2.74 crore, a shopping complex worth Rs 7.77 lakh, 45 marlas of land worth Rs 23.83 lakh, seven vehicles worth Rs 65.34 lakh, and a scooter valued at Rs 60,000.

These seizures span 14 NDPS-related cases in Baramulla and one case in Jammu’s Gangyal area, the officer said.

“The seizure of high-value properties highlights the growing trend of drug syndicates investing illicit proceeds into immovable assets, which we are targeting to cripple the financial backbone of these networks,” another senior Police officer said. “This year’s seizures and arrests are a testament to our resolve to combat the drug menace. However, the involvement of organised networks requires continuous vigilance and coordination across agencies.”

In October this year, Police busted a heroin smuggling network and arrested three key individuals in the Baramulla district besides seizing around 2.7 kg heroin worth Rs 20 crore in the international market.

The Police team detained Nazim Din, 28, from Zamboor Pattan, Uri, during checking at a checkpoint on the highway at Khanpora on October 21.

Upon searching him, the officers seized 519 gm of heroin concealed in a polythene bag under his armpit.

During questioning, Nazim disclosed his involvement in drug smuggling, allegedly under the influence of an unidentified individual from Srinagar downtown referred to as ‘Mir Sahib’.

As per Nazim’s statement, he and his associate Waqar Ahmad Khawaja, 25, from Tangdhar Kupwara received a heroin consignment on October 17 from a woman near Srinagar’s Noora Hospital.

The duo used Waqar’s SUV to transport the contraband from Srinagar to Handwara, distributing the drugs among local associates.

Baramulla, being a border district, has become a hotspot for narco-terrorism, a phenomenon where the sale and smuggling of drugs are used to finance inimical activities.

Located along the Line of Control (LoC), the district’s strategic position has been previously exploited.

In the past, there have been instances when security forces have intercepted drones carrying narcotics, arms, and ammunition in areas close to the LoC.