Baramulla, June 1: Police on Thursday said they are relentlessly combating the growing drug problem in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, and have registered 144 cases and arrested 217 drug peddlers under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act in the first five months of this year.
A police official told Rising Kashmir that as a part of the operation “Drug-Free Baramulla”, the police have booked a total of 194 drug smugglers, including 25 individuals, who were on the most-wanted list for their involvement in drug trafficking.
“Additionally, 23 habitual drug peddlers have been booked under the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (PIT-NDPS)/Public Safety Act (PSA),” he added.
The official said that during the course of their operations, the police have successfully recovered contraband worth crores of rupees in the black market, dealing a significant blow to the drug trade in the region.
During the months of January, February, March, April and May 2023, police said 217 drug smugglers were arrested. The contraband worth 7 crore 69 lakh and 91 thousand rupees were seized from the drug peddlers,” he said, adding that 43.90 lakh cash was also seized during the war against drugs.
He said police have seized 15 vehicles used in the crime. “In a bid to further strengthen the fight against drugs, Baramulla police urges the general public to come forward with any information about drug peddlers in their respective areas. The identities of those providing information will be kept strictly confidential,” the official added.
