Year Ender: Leh records decisive battle against drugs

Leh, Dec 27: Leh district has made a significant headway in its ongoing efforts to combat drug abuse and the illegal liquor trade in 2024.
The district’s law enforcement agencies have made notable strides in enforcing the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and the Excise Act, with impressive results in terms of seizures and arrests.
According to the data available with Rising Kashmir, 2024 saw the registration of 15 cases under the NDPS Act. Law enforcement authorities seized considerable quantities of contraband substances, including Brown Sugar. In total, 22 individuals were arrested, including one from Jammu and Kashmir.
In addition to tackling drug abuse, efforts to curb the illegal liquor trade also yielded significant results. Police registered 39 cases related to the illegal sale and distribution of liquor, seizing large quantities of contraband alcohol. Of these cases, 35 have been resolved, while four are still under investigation. Delays in two of the cases are attributed to pending forensic reports from the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL) in Srinagar. A total of 44 individuals were arrested in connection with these cases.
An analysis of narcotics seizures over the past three years shows fluctuating trends. In 2022, there were only five cases, with minimal quantities of drugs seized. The following year, however, saw a dramatic increase, with 16 cases and significant seizures, including 5 kg of Charas and 8 kg of Ganja. In 2024, while the number of cases dropped to 15, the volumes of Charas and Ganja seized remained substantial.