Police arrest 5 drug peddlers with contraband substance in Kashmir

Srinagar, Oct 03: Continuing its war against the menace of drugs from the society, Police have arrested two drug peddlers in Anantnag, Kupwara, Budgam & Awantipora and recovered huge consignment of narcotic substance from their possession.

An official said that Police Station Srigufwara received an information through reliable sources that one Gh Nabi Bhat, son of Gh Hassan Bhat, resident of Sehgund Saller has hoarded large quantity of narcotic substance in his residential house. Accordingly, a case under relevant sections of law was registered in Police Station Srigufwara and investigation was initiated.

Subsequently, a Police team along with concerned Executive Magistrate carried out the search of the said house. During search, about 24.700 Kgs of Ganja was recovered from the residential house. The contraband substance was seized and accused was arrested. Further investigation of the case is still going on.

Meanwhile, Police in Kupwara at a checkpoint established at Wayen arrested a drug peddler identified as Tariq Sajad Khan, son of Bashir Ullah Khan, resident of Keran Kupwara. During search, a substantial amount of Charas like substance was recovered from his possession. In this regard, a case vide FIR No. 318/2025 under relevant sections of law has been registered at Police Station Kupwara and investigation has been initiated, official said.

He also said that in Budgam, acting on specific input, a police party from Police Post Soibugh, led by ASI Nazir Ahmed, established a checkpoint at Hakermulla near Chinar tree. Two suspects, attempting to flee on noticing police, were apprehended. They have identified as Mohd Yaseen Rather, son of Ghulam Nabi Rather, resident of Nasrullapora; and Muzaffar Ahmad Malik, son of Nazir Ahmad Malik, resident of Soibugh. During search, 7.63 grams of a heroin-like substance and two mobile phones were recovered.

In similar action in Awantipora, Police Post Toll Plaza received reliable information regarding presence of contraband in a residential house at Chersoo.  Accordingly, a police party headed by SHO PS Awantipora raided the said house. During search, 16 Kgs of Bung Powder and 26 grams of Charas (in shape of sticks) was recovered from the house of Aqib Rashid Sheikh, son of Abdul Reshid Sheikh, resident of Chersoo Awantipora. Accordingly, the said drug peddler has been arrested and shifted to PS Awantipora where he remains in custody, official said.

Police urged the general public that if you witness drug peddling or any other crime in your locality, kindly contact the nearest police establishment or dial 112. They also requested people to cooperate with police in curbing the menace of drugs from society, and reassured community members that police will act tough against criminals as per law.