Drug trafficking module busted in Kashmir, heroin worth ₹ 20 crores seized: Police

In a major crackdown against drug trafficking, Jammu and Kashmir police on Oct 29 said it busted a narcotic module and seized psychotropic substances – Heroin worth ₹ 20 crores in international market in separate raids across north Kashmir from Oct 21 through Oct 27.

Three notorious drug traffickers were arrested during this period and around 2.7 Kg of heroin was seized from them, a police spokesman said in a statement.

“In a major operation against drug trafficking, Baramulla police seized around 2,695 grams of heroin worth ₹ 20 crores and arrested three key figures of a heroin smuggling module.” the spokesman said.

“Acting on credible intelligence, a police team arrested Nazim Din of Uri town during a surprise check at Baramulla-Srinagar national highway near Khanpora on Oct 21. Upon search, officers found 519 grams of heroin concealed in a polythene bag under his armpit.”

On Nazim Din’s disclosure, police launched a manhunt and arrested Waqar Ahmad Khawaja in Handwara town on Oct 25 and seized heroin weighing 475 grams from the car’s boot. His car was also seized, according to the spokesman.

Khawaja of Tangdhar Kupwara had received a consignment of heroin on Oct 17, from a woman near Noora Hospital in Srinagar. The duo used a Maruti Ertiga vehicle to transport the contraband from Srinagar to Handwara to distribute the drugs among local associates, according to the statement.

“Further investigations led to the arrest of a third accomplice, Manzoor Ahmad Bhat from Handwara on Oct 27. A search of his residence uncovered four additional packets of heroin, weighing around 1,701 grams, concealed in his wardrobe,” it added.

Investigation is underway to identify other members of the trafficking module, including the Srinagar-based peddler suspected of orchestrating local distribution, the spokesman said.

In a separate action, police arrested three drug peddlers on Oct 26 and recovered around 2.884 grams of heroin from their possession in border town Karnah of Kupwara district.

“Jammu and Kashmir police is committed to a zero-tolerance approach against drug-related offenses and urge citizens to report any suspicious activities to help in building a drug-free society,” reads the statement.