Srinagar, June 11: Police in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district have registered 172 cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and arrested 156 alleged drug peddlers during the first two months of the 100-day Nasha Mukt Jammu and Kashmir Abhiyan (NMJKA), officials said on Wednesday.
The campaign, launched by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, is aimed at curbing drug trafficking and substance abuse across the Union Territory.
According to police, more than 323.5 kilograms of contraband substances were seized during multiple operations across the district, while cash amounting to Rs 26.5 lakh, allegedly linked to narcotics trafficking, was recovered.
In a crackdown on the financial assets of drug traffickers, police attached properties in 29 cases valued at about Rs 12.5 crore under relevant legal provisions. Authorities also demolished four properties worth nearly Rs 3.76 crore that were identified as proceeds of narcotics trafficking.
The total value of properties attached or demolished during the period was estimated at around Rs 16 crore, police said.
As part of efforts to curb narcotics cultivation, police destroyed illegal cultivation spread over nearly 350 marlas of land. More than 1,606 kilograms of narcotic substances were also destroyed after completion of legal formalities.
Police said more than 300 marlas of government land were retrieved from the alleged illegal occupation of drug peddlers as part of efforts to dismantle networks supporting narcotics trafficking.
Among those arrested were three women accused of drug peddling and four women allegedly involved in the cultivation of narcotic crops, officials said.
Police also found three government employees involved in drug-related cases and said legal action had been initiated against them in accordance with the law.
To strengthen preventive measures against repeat offenders and major traffickers, police took preventive action against 119 suspected drug peddlers under relevant laws, while three alleged habitual offenders were detained under the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (PIT-NDPS) Act.
In coordination with other departments, authorities cancelled 17 driving licences and nine vehicle registration certificates linked to narcotics-related offences.
Police conducted 180 narcotics-focused cordon and search operations across Anantnag district during the period to disrupt the movement, distribution and supply of illegal drugs.
As part of inspections aimed at regulating the sale of pharmaceutical drugs, police, along with concerned departments, checked 51 medical shops across the district. Officials said 16 violations were detected and legal action was initiated against the offenders.
Police also dismantled two alleged narcotics hideouts that were being used for the concealment and distribution of contraband substances.
To improve the quality of investigations, 124 investigating officers handling NDPS cases were provided specialised training at the District Police Office in Anantnag on legal procedures, evidence collection, investigation techniques and prosecution of narcotics-related offences.
Police said the anti-drug campaign would continue and urged the public, particularly young people, to cooperate by sharing information related to drug trafficking and substance abuse—(KNO)
