Police seizes drug smuggler’s property in Baramulla

Baramulla, Aug 14: Jammu and Kashmir Police attached a two-story house valued at 21.97 lakh rupees and confiscated cash totaling 69.20 lakh rupees from drug smugglers in Uri area of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district.
The action was taken under sections 68-E and 68-F(1) of the NDPS Act 1985.
According to a police official, a team from Baramulla Police, led by SDPO Uri Shokat Ali-JKPS, operating under the guidance of SP Hqrs Baramulla Ms. Divya D-IPS, completed all legal procedures to attach the property.
The targeted assets included a double-storey house estimated at around 21.97 lakh rupees and a cash amount of 69.20 lakh rupees.
The primary individual involved in the case was identified as Ghulam Rasool Sheikh, son of Abdul Aziz Sheikh, a resident of Nambla Uri, along with others.
“The property in question was connected to a case filed under FIR No. 81/2023, involving sections 8/21 and 29 of the NDPS Act, at Police Station Uri,” the police official said.
He said that the investigation findings indicated that the assets, both immovable and movable, were acquired through illegal drug trafficking activities.
Prior to this operation, the Baramulla Police had already seized properties amounting to 68.65 lakh rupees from drug smugglers, which included two houses, three vehicles, and cash totaling Rs. 41.72 lakh rupees in Pattan, Kreeri, and Kamalkote.
Notably, the Security and Foreign Exchange Management (Forfeiture of Property) Authority (SAFEM-FOP) and the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPSA) in New Delhi had confirmed the property attachment orders issued by Baramulla Police in Pattan and Kreeri.
The attached assets encompassed houses and vehicles used in illegal activities.
Local residents applauded the proactive stance of Baramulla Police in cracking down on property linked to drug trafficking.
“This move, aimed at curbing the drug menace in the district, received support from the community, highlighting a strong police-public relationship,” Baramulla police said.