Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Jan 8: Police today busted a major drug racket by arresting two drug peddlers and seized 10 kilograms of heroin, allegedly smuggled from Pakistan, valued at over Rs 32 crores.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Srinagar, Imtiyaz Hussain, told a press conference that the recovery-one of the biggest so far-was made from a Tata Sumo intercepted at a checkpoint at Barthana crossing.
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“A police team from Police Post Qamarwari, during a routine checkpoint at Barthana Crossing, intercepted a Tata Sumo bearing registration number JK05D-1837 with two individuals on board,” he said.
A thorough search of the vehicle led to the discovery of six kilograms of heroin concealed beneath the driver’s seat.
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Additionally, personal search of the suspects revealed two more kilograms of the narcotic substance.
“Each individual was concealing one kilogram of the substance in polythene bags,” the SSP added.
The arrested persons have been identified as Anas Ajaz Awan, son of Ajaz Ahmad Awan, a resident of Dildar Tangdar, Kupwara, and Zahid Ahmad Sheikh, son of Nazir Ahmad Sheikh, a resident of Channipora, Tangdar, Kupwara.
The SSP stated that preliminary investigations revealed the narcotics were smuggled from Pakistan as part of a cross-border drug trafficking network that has been identified.
“I assure the public that the menace of drugs will be eradicated from society. The J&K Police is committed to this mission, working together with the community to safeguard our society. We are resolute in our efforts to combat drug trafficking and ensure public safety,” he said.
He also issued a stern warning to those involved in drug trafficking.
“Anyone involved in this illicit trade must know that the law will catch up with them, and they will be dealt with strictly. Those who think they can escape the law will be brought to justice without exception,” he emphasized.
The seized narcotics and the vehicle used in the commission of the crime have been confiscated as evidence.
“Case FIR No. 03/2025 under Sections 8/21 and 29 of the NDPS Act has been registered at Police Station Parimpora, and further investigation is underway,” the SSP said.
Authorities added that the police are actively pursuing both backward and forward linkages to dismantle the syndicate and identify all individuals involved in the illegal trade.
The police reiterated their zero-tolerance policy against narcotics and pledged to bring all those involved in such criminal activities to justice with the full force of the law.
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