Police seize narcotics worth Rs 50 crore, Rs 12 Cr from Uri; 3 arrested

Baramulla, May 9:  Police seized a major narcotics haul in the Uri area of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, seizing drugs worth Rs 50 crore and Rs 12.63 crore cash while the operation led to the arrest of three persons involved in drug smuggling.

The seized narcotics, weighing approximately 7.8 kg were discovered hidden in the village of Churanda and Dhanisyedan.

Sharing details, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Baramulla, Amod Ashok Nagpure said that based on specific information about the involvement of two persons in the drug smuggling, Police arrested two persons identified as Mehmood Ahmad Najar of village Churanda and Sajad Ahmad Malik of Dhanisyedan.

He said that on sustained questioning, the arrested persons disclosed the name of another drug smuggler, Fayaz Ahmad Hajam of Dhanisyedan.

“The Police has so far recovered contraband worth Rs 50 crore besides cash of Rs 12,63,500 from the busted module which has links with the Pakistan-based handlers,” the SSP said.

Addressing the media persons, Nagpure detailed the sequence of events leading to the bust.

He said that on specific intelligence, Police officials detained Najar and Malik and during the search, recovered a cache of narcotics and cash in their possession.

He said as the arrested duo disclosed the name of one more individual involved in the narcotics trade, a team of the Police along with the magistrate raided the house of a third person in Dhanisyedan village and seized narcotics and cash from his possession.

The SSP Baramulla while highlighting the significance of the seizure said it was this year's largest intercepted contraband.

He praised the vigilance of the Police in Baramulla, particularly in border areas like Uri, which serve as crucial points for preventing the influx of narcotics into the mainland.

Attributing the drug trafficking to Pakistan-based handlers, the SSP Baramulla said that the nefarious intentions behind such activities were aimed at ensnaring the youth of Jammu and Kashmir.

However, he affirmed the commitment of the J&K Police supported by the Army to thwart these designs.

Responding to queries, the SSP assured a thorough investigation into any potential links between the seized contraband and attempts to influence voters during elections.