SRINAGAR: The arrest of a 19-year-old drug peddler in Srinagar has uncovered a new high-tech approach to drug trafficking in Kashmir, with drones and encrypted apps becoming tools to outsmart law enforcement.
According to ETV Bharat, the youth, born in 2004 and from a business family, was caught with substantial quantities of medicinal opioids and a sophisticated drone, used to surveil clients and monitor police movement. His capture has revealed a highly organised operation, marking a shift in drug trafficking methods in the region.
Police officials explained that the youth, a Class 12 student, had been under surveillance for some time due to reports of suspicious activities. However, catching him in the act had been challenging due to his use of encrypted WhatsApp messages and financial transactions through fintech apps, which concealed any evidence of his drug deals. A senior police official stated, “We could not find how he was dispensing drugs to people. It was very challenging to catch him. But some time ago, we learnt his supplies dried up. During those days, we tirelessly made a breakthrough and got to know about the arrival of a drug consignment for him from Delhi.”
The consignment, which he arranged through encrypted messages, was part of a larger network involving suppliers in Delhi, with payments transferred via digital means to remove transaction trails. Authorities were shocked to discover the extent of his technology use, particularly a high-end DJI drone equipped with a camera capable of providing aerial views of his neighbourhood. This drone was used to monitor his clients’ movements and ensure no police were nearby before he completed transactions. A second toy drone was also found in his possession, likely used for less intense surveillance.
According to police, the youth navigated clients through phone calls to designated spots where drugs would be placed under drone surveillance until collected. The confiscated items included 140 bottles of codeine phosphate and cash totalling Rs 38,530, believed to be proceeds from drug sales. Following his arrest, two associates, also from Srinagar, were detained and charged under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.
