SRINAGAR: In a move to combat the drug menace, Srinagar Police has taken strong action against drug peddlers by attaching properties worth over Rs 3 crore under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. The crackdown is part of ongoing efforts to dismantle the drug network and curtail its impact on society.
A three-storied residential house, valued at Rs 65 lakh, located in Banpora Batamaloo, has been attached to Abdul Ahad Bhat, a “notorious” drug peddler arrested for selling narcotics to the youth. The property, which was acquired through illicit proceeds, was seized under Section 68 of the NDPS Act in connection with FIR No 31 of 2024, registered at Police Station Shaheed Gunj. A significant quantity of narcotics had been recovered during investigations related to Bhat’s operations.
In a separate case, a house in Azad Basti, valued at Rs 2.5 crore, was attached to Manzoor Ahmad Bhat and his son, Jan Manzoor Bhat, who is accused of peddling narcotics in the Natipora area. The property was seized under Section 68(F) of the NDPS Act, with FIR No 35/2024 registered at Police Station Chanapora. The seizure follows the identification of properties acquired through the proceeds of illegal narcotics trade.
Both properties will remain under attachment until confirmed by the competent authority, in line with the NDPS Act, which prohibits the transfer or sale of seized assets without prior permission from authorities.
A police spokesman in Srinagar highlighted that these actions underscore the firm resolve of Jammu and Kashmir Police in eradicating the drug menace and dismantling the infrastructure supporting the narcotics trade. “We are committed to acting tough against drug peddlers and smugglers,” the spokesman stated. “These measures demonstrate our determination to stop the drug trade and hold offenders accountable under the law.”
Further strengthening the fight against drugs, Srinagar Police arrested two drug peddlers, Rakib Ahmad Dar and Mohammad Irfan Sheikh, and recovered contraband substances from their possession. During a routine naka checking at Syed Mansoor Bridge in Zaldagar, Dar, a resident of Rajouri Kadal, was intercepted while trying to flee in a vehicle. Police recovered 11 grams of a brown sugar-like substance hidden in the vehicle. Dar was arrested on the spot, and a case under FIR No. 51/2024 has been filed at Police Station MR Gunj.
Meanwhile, further investigation into another drug-related case led to the arrest of Sheikh, a resident of Noorbagh, who was found in possession of 2.51 grams of heroin. The police have continued their probe to uncover the full extent of his narcotic activities, with a case filed under FIR No. 134/2024 at Police Station Safakadal.
Additionally, in Kulgam, another drug peddler, Akshay Kumar, was apprehended with 9.6 kilograms of poppy straw-like substance. The arrest took place at Nipora Crossing, where Kumar attempted to flee after noticing police presence. A case under FIR No. 261/2024 has been registered at Police Station Qazigund, and the investigation is ongoing.
