SRINAGAR:Jammu and Kashmir Police in central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district have recovered around one kilogram of cocaine worth over Rs 10 crore in the international illicit market and arrested two alleged drug peddlers, police said on Wednesday.
The recovery was made during sustained follow-up investigations linked to a case registered earlier this month. Police said the cocaine-like substance was seized from a rented accommodation at Gooripora, Sanat Nagar, during searches conducted on the intervening night of December 16 and 17. A vehicle, mobile phones and other electronic gadgets were also seized.
The second accused has been identified as Maqsood Hussain Khan, son of Abdul Majeed Khan, a resident of Hazratbal, Srinagar, presently residing at Gooripora, Sanat Nagar. He was detained following coordinated searches at multiple locations based on court-issued warrants.
The case originated on December 8, when Ganderbal Police, during special naka checking operations, arrested a drug peddler, Mohd Irfan Bhat of Kharbagh Wakura, Ganderbal. Subsequently, FIR No. 200/2025 under relevant sections of the NDPS Act was registered at Police Station Ganderbal.
Given the seriousness of the offence and the suspected wider network, Senior Superintendent of Police, Ganderbal, Khalil Ahmad Poswal constituted a Special Investigation Team under the supervision of Additional SP Owaise Loun. The investigation team, led by the investigating officer, carried out extensive searches across Sumbal, Shadipora, Zakura and other suspected locations to trace backward and forward linkages.
Police said an in-depth investigation is underway to identify the source of the narcotics and uncover possible inter-state and international supply chains. More arrests and recoveries are likely, officials added.
Reiterating its zero-tolerance policy against drug trafficking, Ganderbal Police urged the public to cooperate by sharing information to help curb the drug menace and ensure a drug-free society.
