540 drug peddlers arrested in Kupwara in 5 years, reveals RTI

Srinagar, Oct 20: The drug menace continues to tighten its grip across Kashmir, with official figures from different districts painting an alarming picture of narcotics-related crime and addiction.

In north Kashmir’s Kupwara district, a reply to an RTI query by this correspondent has revealed that 540 drug peddlers were arrested between January 2020 and June 2025.

The data, provided by the Office of the Deputy Superintendent of Police, Kupwara, also shows that 428 theft cases were registered during the same period—many believed to be linked to the growing influence of narcotics.

The police recovered significant quantities of contraband in Kupwara over the five-year span, including 55 kilograms of charas, 171 kilograms of brown sugar, and 77 kilograms of heroin.

Shockingly, the figures also show that 27 government employees and 21 police personnel were among those arrested for involvement in drug-related cases, highlighting the deep infiltration of the narcotics trade into official ranks.

Meanwhile, similar trends are visible in south Kashmir’s Awantipora, where police have intensified their campaign against drug trafficking and substance abuse. According to official records, 515 drug peddlers and 47 drug addicts have been arrested over the past six years. The crackdown, though extensive, underscores the scale of the challenge, as the town continues to report steady drug-related arrests despite repeated awareness drives.

In Pulwama district, police have detained 398 peddlers and 16 addicts since 2020, indicating that the crisis extends far beyond isolated pockets.

Officials and experts attribute the surge in drug abuse to a combination of factors—local trafficking networks, easy access to heroin, unemployment, and socio-political stress. Youth between 17 and 33 years remain the most vulnerable group, with heroin emerging as the most commonly abused substance.

The problem is compounded by limited rehabilitation infrastructure. The Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences (IMHANS) in Srinagar has reported being overwhelmed by the number of patients seeking treatment for addiction. Social stigma and a lack of dedicated de-addiction facilities across rural districts further worsen the crisis.

Authorities insist that curbing the menace requires more than arrests. “It’s a fight that needs community participation, awareness, and rehabilitation alongside policing,” an official said.

Experts warn that Kashmir’s drug problem has reached epidemic proportions. Studies estimate that nearly 11 percent of the Valley’s population—around 1.35 million people—are affected by substance abuse, making it one of the most pressing public health and social challenges in the region.