Srinagar, May 11 (KNO): Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Anantnag Amod Ashok Nagpure on Monday said that police have intensified the war against narcotics in the district, arresting 118 drug peddlers and seizing more than 300 kilogrammes of contraband substances during the first month of the ongoing “Nasha Mukt J&K Abhiyan”.
Addressing a press conference in Anantnag, SSP Nagpure, accompanied by senior police officers, highlighted the major achievements registered by the district police under the NDPS Act over the past month.
The SSP said that Anantnag Police registered 120 FIRs under various provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act as part of the intensified anti-drug campaign launched across the district following the 100-day “Nasha Mukt J&K Abhiyan” initiated by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha.
“Anantnag Police is committed to rooting out the menace of drugs from society. Our crackdown against narcotics networks has been intensified and will continue with full force in the coming days,” the SSP, as reported by the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO).
He said that apart from the seizure of over 300 kilogrammes of contraband substances during multiple operations, police also acted against properties acquired through the illegal narcotics trade.
"Properties in 14 separate cases, worth nearly Rs 10 crore, were attached under relevant legal provisions. In addition, two illegally acquired properties valued at approximately Rs 3.5 crore were demolished after being found linked to proceeds generated through narcotics trafficking," Nagpure said.
The officer further revealed that police destroyed illegal narcotic cultivation spread over nearly 300 marlas of land during the anti-drug operations conducted in various parts of the district.
Around 1,084 kilograms of narcotic substances were destroyed after completion of legal formalities, he said.
The SSP said that crackdown also exposed the involvement of women and government employees in drug-related activities. "One female drug peddler and two female cultivators engaged in narcotics cultivation were arrested. Legal action has also been initiated against two government employees found to be involved in narcotics cases," he said.
As part of preventive and punitive measures, police invoked preventive detention against 119 drug peddlers under relevant laws to curb repeated involvement in drug trafficking and related crimes.
Police also conducted 80 Narco CASOs (Cordon and Search Operations) across Anantnag to dismantle drug supply chains and check the movement of narcotics.
Highlighting action against the misuse of transport facilities in the narcotics trade, Nagpure said that 13 driving licences and nine vehicle registration certificates were cancelled in coordination with the concerned authorities.
Becoming the first district in J&K, Anantnag police auctioned the vehicle that was seized with drugs, the SSP said, adding that such vehicles won't be released now as was done before.
The SSP further said that Anantnag Police, in coordination with concerned departments, inspected 45 medical shops across the district to check violations related to regulated medicines and narcotic substances. During the inspections, 15 violations were detected, and legal proceedings were initiated against the violators.
Police also busted two narcotic hideouts during the month-long drive as part of what officials termed a “zero-tolerance policy” against drug abuse and trafficking.
To improve the quality of investigation in NDPS cases, around 50 investigating officers were imparted specialised training at the District Police Office Anantnag on legal procedures, evidence collection and handling of narcotics-related cases, the police officer said.
SSP Nagpure appealed to the public, particularly the youth, to cooperate with police by sharing information regarding drug peddling and narcotics-related activities.
“Public cooperation is crucial in eliminating the drug menace and safeguarding the future of society. Strict action will continue against every individual involved in drug trafficking, irrespective of their status or background,” he said—(KNO)