Two Drug Peddlers Arrested, Contraband Seized in South, Central Kashmir 

SRINAGAR: Police in twin districts of Shopian and Budgam have arrested two drug peddlers in separate operations, recovering a large quantity of contraband substances from their possession.

In Shopian, during a routine checkpoint at Dangerpora Amshipora, police intercepted an auto-rickshaw (registration number JK03-9305) carrying three persons. On noticing the police, two suspects fled, while one was apprehended and identified as Shakeel Ahmad Das, a resident of Waghama Bijbehara. A search of the vehicle led to the recovery of three bags containing 24 kilograms of poppy straw. The vehicle used in the crime was seized, and an investigation has been launched to trace the remaining suspects and uncover the wider supply network.

In a separate operation in Budgam, a police team from the Soibugh Police Post stopped a passenger auto (registration number JK01Q-7851) at the Warpora–Galwanpora crossing. During the inspection, officers recovered 376 grams of charas in powdered form along with an additional 27 grams packed in a disposable bag. The driver, identified as Hilal Ahmad Sheikh, son of Bashir Ahmad Sheikh from Chodrybagh Sebdan, was arrested at the scene. The vehicle was also seized.

Cases under relevant sections of the law have been registered at the respective police stations, and further investigations are under way.

Police reiterated their commitment to maintaining a zero-tolerance policy towards drug abuse and trafficking, urging the public to share information about illegal narcotics activity to help build a drug-free society.