Umar Raina
Ganderbal, May 29: Under the “Nasha Mukt Jammu & Kashmir Abhiyan,” Ganderbal Police has launched an extensive anti-drug crackdown across the district during April and May 2026, arresting at least 15 drug peddlers, seizing large quantities of narcotics and registering multiple cases related to illicit poppy cultivation.
According to official figures, police recovered over 35 grams of heroin, around 580 grams of charas, 100 bottles of Codeine Phosphate and other narcotic substances during a series of operations conducted across the district. Four major NDPS cases linked to illegal poppy cultivation were also registered during the period.
The latest operation was conducted at Dignibal near Bakura, where police arrested an alleged drug peddler during naka checking after he attempted to flee from the spot. The accused was identified as Abrar Ahmad Parray of Nagbal Ganderbal. Police said a ganja-like substance was recovered from his possession and a case under the NDPS Act has been registered.
In another operation, police busted illicit poppy cultivation in Wandhama village under Police Station Lar and registered a case against the alleged cultivator.
Earlier this month, Police Station Safapora arrested another accused and recovered heroin-like substance during naka checking, while Police Station Kheerbawani arrested three alleged drug peddlers travelling in a vehicle at Dumkadal Chowk and seized nearly 35 grams of heroin-like contraband.
On April 24, police along with the Canine (K9) Unit of Crime Branch Srinagar intensified anti-narcotics checking at multiple hotspots across the district using trained sniffer dogs. On the same day, Police Post Shadipora arrested two alleged peddlers and recovered 100 bottles of Codeine Phosphate.
In another major operation, Police Station Kangan recovered approximately 580 grams of charas-like powder concealed inside a cowshed in Khanan Kangan following specific intelligence inputs.
Apart from enforcement measures, Ganderbal Police also launched a massive public outreach and awareness campaign involving schools, colleges, medical teams and civil society groups. More than 30 anti-drug programmes, rallies, seminars, padyatras and awareness drives were conducted across the district, including at Degree College Ganderbal, SKUAST-K Shuhama, Degree College Kangan and several educational institutions.
A mega Shikara rally organised at Manasbal on April 29 in collaboration with the Manasbal Development Authority witnessed participation from students, officials and civil society members as part of the anti-drug campaign.
Police also carried out drug screening drives and inspections of medical shops in coordination with the Drug Department, during which several shops were sealed or issued notices for violations.
Officials said the campaign combines strict law enforcement with awareness generation, rehabilitation initiatives and community participation to tackle drug abuse in the district. Police appealed to the public to cooperate and share information regarding narcotics trafficking and illegal cultivation to help build a drug-free society.