Major drug trafficking crackdown in Baramulla

Srinagar, Sep 29: In a significant crackdown on drug trafficking, the Jammu and Kashmir Police have seized 2,695 grams of heroin valued at ₹20 crore and apprehended three key individuals linked to a heroin smuggling network in Baramulla, officials said.
A senior police officer confirmed to Rising Kashmir that the operation dismantled a major drug trafficking ring in Baramulla. “We have arrested three key persons involved in the smuggling of heroin,” the officer stated.
“We have also arrested three key persons of a heroin smuggling ring. It is one of the major drug trafficking operations in north Kashmir, he said.
Briefing about the details, the police official said that acting on credible intelligence, a police team detained Nazim Din, son of Alim Din Tass, from Zamboor Pattan Uri, aged 28, during a surprise naka at NHW Khanpora on October 21, 2024.
“Upon search, officers found 519 grams of heroin concealed in a polythene bag under his armpit,” he said.
The police official said that during initial questioning, Nazim disclosed his involvement in drug trafficking, allegedly under the influence of an unknown individual from DownTown Srinagar referred to as “Mir Sb.”
“According to his statement, he and his associate, Waqar Ahmad Khawaja, son of Abdul Rouf Khawaja from Tangdhar, Kupwara, aged 25, had received a consignment of heroin on October 17, 2024, from a woman near Noora Hospital in Srinagar,” he said.
The police official said that the duo used a Maruti Ertiga vehicle (JK09D-5822) owned by Waqar to transport the contraband from Srinagar to Handwara, distributing the drugs among local associates.
“Following this lead, Baramulla Police, with the assistance of a magistrate, apprehended Waqar Ahmad near Handwara Bye-Pass crossing along with his vehicle and seized one more bag of heroin weighing 475 grams , from the car’s boot,” he said.
The police officer said that further investigations led to the arrest of a third accomplice, Manzoor Ahmad Bhat, aged 50, from Marathgam, Handwara, on October 27, 2024.
“Upon his arrest, a search of his residence uncovered four additional packets of heroin, totaling 1,701 grams, concealed in his wardrobe,” he said.
The official said that the cumulative seizure of contraband in this operation stands at 2,695 grams.
“Nazim Din resident of Zamboor Pattan Uri, 519 grams, Waqar Ahmad Khawaja resident of Tangdhar, Kupwara, 475 grams & Manzoor Ahmad Bhat resident of Marathgam, Handwara, 1,701 grams,” he said.
The police official said that the value of the seized drug is 20 crores in international markets.
“The seized vehicle used in transporting the drugs has been confiscated, and all suspects are currently under police remand,” he said.
The police officer said that investigation is going on to identify other members of the trafficking network, including the Srinagar-based figure suspected of orchestrating local distribution.
“We are committed to a zero-tolerance approach to drug-related offenses and call on citizens to report any suspicious activities to help in building a drug-free society,” he added.
On August 09, Police seized that record haul of 33 kgs Heroin like substance worth more than 33 crores at Jammu bus stand.