Shopian police ramp up war on drugs; make large haul of contraband substances, attach property

Shopian, Jan 2: South Kashmir's Shopian district has been caught in the throes of the worst drug addiction with many youth giving in to hardest drugs like heroin and cocaine.

However, in 2024, the Shopian Police made crucial strides in combating the menace by launching a comprehensive anti-drug campaign.

According to official data, in the previous year, police registered a total of 56 cases and seized 591.875 kg of contraband including heroin, charas and poppy straw. The police also confiscated 23 bottles of codeine.

The data revealed that the value of the confiscated contraband, in black market, is estimated at Rs 6,42,85,950.

According to data, a total of 3,959.661 kg of contraband, 167 strips of Spasmo-Proxyvon, and 1,215 bottles of codeine were destroyed.

"The value of destroyed contraband in black market is estimated at Rs 12,22,05,200."

The police also destroyed illegal wild bung spread on 56 kanals of state land in the district.

The police arrested 65 accused and attached an ill-gotten property valued at Rs 2,26,50,000.

The property, according to the police, was attached in 6 drug related cases. Additionally, in 2024, six persons were detained under Prevention of Illegal Trafficking (PIT), NDPS.

Over the last six years, at least six to seven persons lost their lives to the drugs. Concerned citizens and the members of civil society in the area repeatedly raised alarm over the growing menace by organising conferences and seminars to generate awareness among the public and advocated for strong preventive measures.

“Since the police intensified its crackdown on drug addicts and peddlers, we have begun feeling safer”, said Tariq Ahmad, a business man who runs a crockery store at Batapora.

He said that he hoped that the police would continue its anti-drug efforts

“The fear of law is crucial to prevent uprooting the menace from society and prevent its resurgence”, Ahmad said.