Srinagar, June 06: Police on Thursday said they arrested a notorious gang of inter-district drug peddlers and recovered a large quantity of contraband substances from their possession in Ganderbal district.
A police spokesperson in a statement issued here said, “Acting on the directions of SSP Ganderbal, Sandeep Gupta, a police team led by SHO Police Station Lar, under the supervision of Gh Hassan Hqrs Ganderbal, set up a checkpoint at Yenhama Lar. During the operation, a drug peddler identified as Sheikh Murifat, son of the late Ghulam Mohammad Sheikh from Lar, was apprehended while travelling from Watalbagh to Lar. A large quantity of contraband substances was found in his possession. Following this arrest, a case (FIR No. 23/2024) was registered at Police Station Lar, and an investigation was launched.”
Murifat’s interrogation and subsequent evidence led to multiple raids, resulting in the seizure of 559 bottles of codeine and 14,900 tablets of banned psychotropic substances. Four additional suspects from various districts were arrested, the spokesperson said, identifying them as Sabir Nabi Shagoo, son of Gh Nabi Shagoo from Bemina Srinagar, Dawood Ahmad Rather, son of Ghulam Mohd Rather from Narbal Budgam, Rameez Rafiq Dar, son of Mohd Rafiq Dar from Ajas BandiporaParvaiz Ahmad Hanga, son of Gh Mohd Hanga from Karfuli Mohalla, Srinagar.
He said the investigation is ongoing, with more recoveries and arrests expected.
This year, Ganderbal Police have registered 12 NDPS cases and arrested 19 drug peddlers. The seized contraband includes 22 kgs and 754 grams of cannabis derivatives, 11 grams of heroin-like substance, 675 bottles of banned codeine-like substance, 14,980 psychotropic tablets/capsules, 84 grams of charas-like substance, and cash amounting to Rs 79,500.
“Our consistent actions against drug peddlers should reassure the community that we are committed to eradicating the drug menace from our society,” the spokesperson said.
