SRINAGAR, April 14: Jammu and Kashmir Police have apprehended seven individuals identified as drug peddlers across Awantipora, Budgam, and Pulwama districts in multiple operations. Significant quantities of contraband substances were recovered from their possession as part of the ongoing Nasha Mukt Jammu & Kashmir Abhiyan initiative.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that during separate anti-drug drives, police intercepted vehicles and conducted searches, leading to the arrests and seizures. The operations aim to curb the drug menace within the Union Territory.
In Awantipora, a police party intercepted an auto-rickshaw during routine vehicular checking. A search of the vehicle, bearing registration number JK01BC-7644, yielded approximately 50 grams of a charas-like substance. The three individuals apprehended have been identified as Asim Ahmad, son of Zaffar Ahmad Bhat, a resident of Batmaloo; Uzan Farooq, son of Farooq Ahmad Khan, from Tengpora; and Farhan Rashid, son of Abdul Rashid Shigar, also from Batmaloo.
Further operations in Budgam saw a police team from the Magam Police Station intercepting a suspicious auto-rickshaw (registration number JK04K-4469) on the Watmagam-Magam Road. The driver and a passenger attempted to flee the scene but were tactfully apprehended by alert officers. The individuals were identified as Firdous Ahmad Ganie, son of Gh. Mohammad, a resident of Peth Kanihama, and Naseer Ahmad Mir, son of Ab Gaffar, from Mazhama. A search of their vehicle led to the recovery of 2.14 kilograms of crushed bung, a cannabis-like substance.
In Pulwama, a police party from the Newa Police Post, accompanied by a concerned Magistrate, conducted a search at the residential house of Mohd Younis Sheikh, son of Mohd Yousuf Sheikh, in Newa. During the search, approximately 110 grams of charas powder and 850 grams of charas (bang/boosa)-like substance were recovered and seized. Two individuals, Younis Ahmad Sheikh and a woman, both residents of Newa, Pulwama, were apprehended in connection with this recovery.
All seven accused have been arrested and are currently in police custody at their respective stations. Cases have been registered under relevant sections of the law, and further investigations are underway to trace the broader network involved in drug trafficking. The Jammu and Kashmir Police have reiterated their commitment to eradicating drug abuse from society and urged the public to share information regarding drug-related activities to contribute to building a drug-free community.
The Chenab Times News Desk