Anantnag, May 11: Anantnag Police in South Kashmir on Monday said it has launched an aggressive and multi-dimensional crackdown against narcotics during the first month of the “100 Days Drug Free Society Drive,” registering 120 cases under the NDPS Act, arresting 118 accused persons, and seizing more than 300 kilograms of contraband substances across the district.
Addressing a press conference in Anantnag, SSP Anantnag, Amod Ashok Nagpre described drug abuse and narcotics trafficking as one of the biggest social threats confronting society and said police had intensified operations at every level to dismantle the drug network operating in South Kashmir.
He said from April 11 to May 11, Anantnag Police registered 120 cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and arrested 118 persons allegedly involved in narcotics peddling and drug-related activities.
According to the SSP, more than 300 kilograms of contraband material was seized during various operations carried out during the one-month period.
The officer said police also attached 14 properties worth more than Rs 10 crore under provisions related to proceeds of narcotics trade. He added that action was also taken against drug peddlers who had allegedly encroached upon state land and raised illegal constructions using proceeds generated through narcotics trafficking.
“Two drug peddlers who had encroached state land and made constructions worth nearly Rs 3.50 crore were identified and those illegal structures were demolished,” the SSP as per the news agency Kashmir News Trust said.
He further stated that police destroyed nearly 300 marlas of illegal poppy cultivation during the drive and warned that strict legal action would be initiated against those cultivating narcotic crops.
“Poppy cultivation is illegal. People who have cultivated it must destroy it themselves or they will face police action,” he said, adding that ignorance of law cannot be accepted as an excuse.
The SSP said Anantnag Police had also disposed of 1,084 seized contraband consignments during the campaign as part of legal disposal procedures.
Highlighting a major policy shift, the officer said Anantnag Police had become the first police district to start auctioning vehicles seized in NDPS cases under Section 52-A of the NDPS Act.
“Earlier, seized vehicles used in drug peddling were often released back to their owners after legal formalities. That will not happen now. All seized conveyance vehicles linked to narcotics trafficking will be auctioned,” he said.
The SSP also revealed that three women were among those arrested in NDPS-related cases during the drive, reflecting what he termed as the widening reach of the narcotics network.
He said police recommended cancellation of 13 driving licences and registration of nine vehicles linked to drug-related offences as part of the enforcement campaign.
According to the SSP, Anantnag Police launched “Narco CASOs” at nearly 80 locations during the period, carrying out extensive searches and raids in multiple areas suspected of narcotics activities.
“Raids were conducted at around 80 places and houses during Narco CASOs,” he said.
The officer further disclosed that 119 preventive detentions were made during the campaign to prevent habitual offenders and suspected peddlers from engaging in illegal activities.
He said police conducted inspections and raids at 45 medical shops across the district to monitor the misuse and illegal sale of prescription drugs and psychotropic substances.
“Out of these, 15 medical shops were sealed after violations were detected,” the SSP said.
He said police also busted and dismantled two concrete narco hideouts that were allegedly being used for storing narcotics.
The SSP said police were simultaneously focusing on strengthening investigations and legal prosecution to ensure effective conviction in NDPS cases.
“Fifty Investigating Officers are being provided specialized training so that investigations in narcotics cases become more professional and legally stronger,” he said.
The officer issued a stern warning to those involved in narcotics trade, saying drug peddlers would not receive security clearance for government jobs, passports, and other official verifications.
“Drug peddlers should understand that involvement in narcotics cases will affect their future. Security clearance will not be granted to them for jobs and other purposes,” he said.
The SSP said the anti-drug campaign had received encouraging public response and cooperation from different sections of society.
According to him, police received 533 calls from members of the public who shared information related to narcotics activities during the one-month period.
“This positive response from people shows society wants to fight this menace collectively,” he said.
He added that Anantnag Police also conducted 13 raids around educational institutions to prevent drug circulation among students and youth.
Religious scholars, social activists, and civil society members were also being taken on board as part of the larger awareness and prevention campaign against drug abuse, he added.
The SSP reiterated that the anti-drug drive would continue with greater intensity in coming months and said police would target not only peddlers but also the financial infrastructure supporting narcotics trafficking.
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