Police launch crackdown on drug peddlers

Srinagar, Sep 12: In a concerted effort to eradicate the menace of drugs from the society, police conducted a series of operations against the drug peddlers across the Valley, leading to the arrest of 11 drug peddlers and recovered huge quantities of contraband substances from their possession.

In Kulgam, police established multiple checkpoints at different locations throughout the district and during checking arrested six drug peddlers. They have been identified as Aijaz Ahmad Magray resident of Check Badwanin, Aaqib Ahmad Sheikh resident of Chirhama, Kashmir Singh resident of Jungle Gali Udhampur, Mubarak Ahmad Rather resident of Ashmuji, Mushtaq Ahmad resident of Bhan, Kulgam and Wakeel Ahmad Wagay resident of Redwani Bala.

Officers were able to recover 10.7 kgs of poppy straw and 110 grams of charas like substances from their possession. Besides, two vehicles bearing registration numbers JK21G-6696 (Truck) and JK03J-8132 (Auto) involved in the commission of crime were also seized.

In Baramulla, a police party of Police Station Pattan headed by SHO PS Pattan at a checkpoint established at Kutta Morh near ITI Pattan, intercepted one vehicle ECO bearing registration number JK05N-1086 driven by one person identified as Fazil Farooq son of Farooq Ahmad Mir resident of Aadipora Sopore. During the search, 21.9 Kgs of poppy straw-like substance was recovered from his possession.

In Handwara, a police party led by IC PP Magam at a checkpoint established at T-Chowk Magam intercepted a vehicle bearing registration number JK01V-3388 with two persons on board. During the search, 6 grams of contraband heroin like substance was recovered from their possession. They have been identified as Javid Ah Mir, resident of Dardsun Kralpora Kupwara and Altaf Ahmad Khan, resident of Dardpora Kralpora Kupwara.

In Sopore, a police party headed by SHO PS Bomai under the supervision of SDPO Sopore Sarfaraz Bashir at a checkpoint established at Bun Astan Tujjer Shareef apprehended one suspected person identified as Imtiyaz Ahmad Najar, resident of Tujjer Shareef Sopore. During search, 210 grams of charas like substance was recovered from his possession

In Budgam, a police party of PP Mochuwa at a checkpoint established at Kralpora, Peer Colony Chadoora, intercepted a suspicious person. During the search, 30 grams of charas like substance was recovered from his possession. He has been identified as Aadil Ahmed Khan son of Tariq Ahmad Khan resident of Gopalpora Kralpora.

All the accused persons have been arrested and shifted to respective police stations where they remain in custody. Vehicles used in the commission of crime have also been seized. Accordingly, cases under relevant sections of law have been registered at respective police stations and further investigation have been initiated.

"We urge the common masses that if you witness drug peddling or any other crime anywhere near you, feel free to contact the nearest police establishment or dial 112. People are requested to cooperate with police in curbing the menace of drugs from the society. We reassure the community members that police will act tough against the criminals as per law," police said.