8 kgs of heroin worth Rs 35 Cr seized in Srinagar, two accused held

Srinagar, Jan 8: In a significant crackdown on drug trafficking, the Jammu and Kashmir Police busted a major narcotics network worth Rs 35 Crores in Srinagar that was smuggled from Pakistan and arrested two accused in the case.
Addressing the press in Srinagar, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Srinagar, Imtiyaz Hussain, along with DySP Headquarters Srinagar, Syed Sleet Shah, confirmed the busting of a major cross-border drug trafficking operation. SSP Hussain said the narcotics were smuggled from Pakistan as part of an international trafficking network.
He said that a police team from Police Post Qamarwari, during a routine checkpoint at Barthana Crossing, intercepted a vehicle (Tata Sumo, registration No. JK05D-1837) with two suspects aboard. “A thorough search of the vehicle led to the discovery of 6 kilograms of heroin concealed under the driver’s seat. In addition, 2 kilograms of narcotics were recovered from the suspects during a personal search, with each suspect hiding 1 kilogram in polythene bags,” he said.
The arrested persons were identified as Anas Ajaz Awan, son of Ajaz Ahmad Awan, resident of Dildar Tangdar, Kupwara, Zahid Ahmad Sheikh, son of Nazir Ahmad Sheikh, resident of Channipora, Tangdar, Kupwara.
The SSP confirmed that the narcotics and the vehicle used in the crime were seized as evidence. A case (FIR No. 03/2025) has been registered at Police Station Parimpora under sections 8/21 and 29 of the NDPS Act, and further investigations are ongoing.
SSP Hussain added that preliminary investigations revealed the narcotics were smuggled from Pakistan as part of a cross-border trafficking syndicate.
“J&K Police is actively pursuing both backward and forward linkages to dismantle this syndicate and identify all individuals involved in this illicit trade,” he said.
SSP, Srinagar, further said that J&K Police remains resolute in its mission to eradicate drug trafficking and ensure the safety of the community.
“We reaffirm our zero-tolerance policy against narcotics and pledge to bring all those involved in such criminal activities to justice with the full force of the law,” he said adding that together, we can safeguard our society from the menace of drugs.
The Police officer urged the general public to support our efforts in creating a drug-free society. Citizens are encouraged to share any information related to drug trafficking or suspicious activities with the nearest police station or report it,” he added.