SRINAGAR: Police in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district have registered 525 cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and arrested 602 drug peddlers during the first 10 months of 2026, seizing more than 597 kilograms of contraband substances as part of an intensified crackdown on drug trafficking.
According to a police statement issued on Sunday, authorities have attached properties worth approximately Rs 63 crore in 43 cases under relevant legal provisions. They have also demolished 20 illegal properties, valued at around Rs 20 crore, allegedly linked to proceeds from narcotics-related activities.
Police said cash amounting to Rs 27,64,276 was recovered from drug peddlers during various operations across the district.
As part of enforcement measures, around 2,000 kilograms of narcotic substances were destroyed after completing the requisite legal formalities. Illegal cultivation of narcotic crops spread over 305 marlas of land was also destroyed.
The police further retrieved more than 271 marlas of government land allegedly encroached upon by drug peddlers.
The crackdown also resulted in the arrest of female drug peddlers and 13 female cultivators allegedly involved in narcotics-related activities. Eight government employees were also found involved in drug-related cases, following which legal action was initiated against them.
Under preventive measures, 17 drug peddlers were detained under the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (PIT NDPS) Act. Police also cancelled 28 driving licences and 22 vehicle registration certificates (RCs) in connection with narcotics-related offences.
To disrupt the supply and distribution network, 300 cordon-and-search operations (CASOs) were conducted across the district.
In a parallel enforcement drive, 23 medical shops were inspected jointly with the concerned departments. The inspections revealed 23 violations, prompting the initiation of legal action.
Police also focused on strengthening investigation procedures, with 220 investigating officers handling NDPS cases receiving training at the District Police Office (DPO), Anantnag, on legal procedures and evidence handling.
Reiterating its commitment to combating drug abuse and trafficking, Anantnag Police appealed to the public, particularly young people, to cooperate with law enforcement agencies by identifying and reporting drug-related activities.
Police said public participation was crucial to the collective effort to eliminate the drug menace from society.
