Jammu, Mar 14: The Director General of Police (DGP) of Jammu and Kashmir, RR Swain, stated on Thursday that the narco trade is a major challenge in J&K.
The DGP emphasised that the Police will take a ‘very tough’ stance against those involved and will also seize the properties of drug suppliers to curb this menace.
“Police will act tough against drug dealers and suppliers and seize their properties under UAPA,” the DGP told reporters after inaugurating the Drug De-Addiction and Mental Rehabilitation Centre at Channi-Himmat, Jammu.
Swain asserted that the police force would adopt a stringent approach towards individuals involved in this illicit trade, intending to crackdown on drug dealers and suppliers.
Speaking to reporters, Swain underscored the imperative of addressing both the supply and demand sides of the narcotics issue. He acknowledged the emergence of narco-trade as a significant challenge, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive strategy to combat it effectively.
“Narco-trade is emerging as a major challenge and police and other security forces need to ‘dig the tunnel from both ends’ to effectively deal with this menace,” the DGP said in response to media queries.
Swain highlighted the geographical vulnerability of Jammu and Kashmir as a border state, situated on the western frontier of the country, which facilitates the influx of large quantities of drugs, including heroin and brown sugar, from neighboring countries. He noted the evolution of the narcotics landscape, with the proliferation of substances like heroin and brown sugar surpassing the earlier prevalence of homegrown cannabis.
Expressing resolve to prevent J&K from mirroring the drug crisis experienced in Punjab, Swain reiterated the commitment of law enforcement to tackle the growing narco-trade menace. He acknowledged the existing inadequacy of drug de-addiction centers relative to the scale of addiction in the region, indicating plans for a comprehensive assessment to address the situation effectively by 2025.
Swain reiterated the police force’s perspective on addicts as victims and emphasized the formidable task of combating the growing narco trade. He underscored the determination of law enforcement to confront this challenge head-on, underscoring its commitment to preserving the well-being and safety of the community.
