SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Police on Wednesday intensified its crackdown on drug trafficking with the arrest of two alleged peddlers in Budgam and Kupwara districts and the attachment of immovable property belonging to a notorious repeat offender in Anantnag.
In Budgam, police from Soibugh intercepted a suspect during routine patrolling in Hakurmulla village. “The individual, identified as Bilal Ahmed Hajam alias Lakha, son of Ab Rashid Hajam, a resident of Hakurmulla, was found in possession of 6.323 kilograms of poppy straw-like substance. He was taken into custody and booked under relevant provisions of the law,” a police spokesperson said in a statement.
“In a separate operation in Kupwara, a police team from Police Station Kupwara apprehended a suspect at a checkpoint in Khumriyal. The accused, identified as Umer Aziz Payer, son of Ab Aziz Payer of Cheerikoot Lolab, was found carrying a heroin-like substance. A preliminary inquiry revealed his involvement in illicit drug trafficking,” police said.
Following his disclosure, police searched the shop and residence of Munzoor Ahmad Mir alias Manna Tanghar of Khumriyal, recovering narcotics and Rs 4,93,100 in cash.
Meanwhile, in Anantnag, police attached the residential property of Azad Ali Khan, son of Gull Ali Khan, a resident of Kehribal Ranbirpora, Mattan. “The single-storey house was seized under Section 68-F of the NDPS Act, 1985. Police said Khan was a repeat offender and involved in multiple drug-related cases registered at Police Station Mattan, including FIRs from 2013, 2017, and 2022. The investigation established that the property had been acquired through proceeds from drug trafficking. Khan was previously detained under the PIT-NDPS Act at District Jail Reasi and was recently released,” police said.
Jammu and Kashmir Police reiterated its resolve to dismantle drug networks across the region and urged the public to report any information regarding narcotics to help create a drug-free society.
