Srinagar, Aug 09: The Jammu and Kashmir Police arrested nearly 4837 drug peddlers in last three years in Kashmir, as a part of a concerted drive against substance abuse in the Valley.
Data of Jammu and Kashmir police reveal that 1132 drug-related cases were registered in 2020. Around 1672 persons involved in drug smuggling and peddling were arrested. Around 35 drug peddlers were booked under Public Safety Act (PSA).
Likewise, 152.18 kgs of heroin were seized in 2020. Besides, 563.61kgs of charas/ganja and 22230.48kgs opium/poppy/cannabis derivatives were seized.
Around 339603 capsules, 57925 intoxicating bottles, and 265 intoxicative Injections were also seized.
Similarly in 2021, 815 FIRs were lodged and almost 400 charge sheets were filed in Kashmir. A total of 1465 persons involved in drugs were arrested.
According to police, nearly 1,700 drug peddlers were also arrested in Kashmir in 2022 as part of a concerted drive against substance abuse in the Valley.
Police registered 1,021 cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, arrested 1,685 drug peddlers including 138 notorious drug peddlers who were detained under PIT-NDPS Act during 2022,”.
917 charge sheets filed in 2022.
Of the 1,021 registered cases, chargesheets were expeditiously filed in 917 cases before different courts of law against the accused persons, the details said.
A huge quantity of different types of contraband psychotropic substances was recovered from these alleged drug peddlers during this period.
Police also busted many narco-terror modules and 35 accused persons were arrested in this regard in 2021-22, while a huge amount of contraband substances, cash, arms and ammunition were recovered.
The contraband substances seized included 212 kilograms of charas, 56 kilograms of heroin, 13 kilograms of brown sugar, 1.127 tonnes of bhang, 4.355 tonnes of poppy straw and 1.567 tonnes fukki.
Police also launched drives against illegally cultivated poppy and bhang, destroying crops spread on about 51 hectares of land.
Meanwhile Additional Director General of Police, Kashmir, Vijay Kumar said the war against the drug menace will continue with more vigour.
Strict action will be taken against persons involved in drug abuse and trade in the current year as well, he added.
Kumar requested the community members to be part of the campaign by coming forward with any information regarding drug peddling in their neighbourhoods.
“Our consistent actions against drug peddlers should reassure the community members that we are making efforts to keep our society free from the scourge of drug menace and to secure the future of our youth,” he added.
According to the officials nearly 1000 accused were below the age of 35.
Another senior police official said, there is easy availability of drugs in various parts of Kashmir especially in South Kashmir. “Drugs are another challenge for security forces to tackle this which has devastated many lives. Most of the drugs are brought from Punjab. We are also seeking support of Ulamas and civil society members to help us in eradicating this menace,” the official said.
“We have launched a drive to eradicate the menace of drugs. Strict action will be taken against those who are involved in selling drugs and devastating lives of youth in Kashmir. We are also going to seize property of drug peddlers,” the official added.
