Anti-drug drive escalates with demolitions, seizures and crackdown on illegal pharmacies across Kashmir

Aadil Akbar

Srinagar, May 16: Authorities on Saturday intensified the anti-drug campaign across Kashmir, carrying out a series of coordinated actions in Kulgam, Srinagar and Kupwara districts, including demolition of properties linked to alleged drug peddlers, sealing of medical shops and destruction of illegal poppy cultivation in extension of ongoing Nasha Mukt Jammu and Kashmir Abhiyan.

In south Kashmir’s Kulgam district, police and the district administration demolished properties belonging to alleged narcotics offenders in separate operations as part of the ongoing crackdown under the NDPS Act.

At Brazloo Jagir, authorities demolished the residential house of an alleged husband-wife drug peddler duo identified as Nafeez Ahmad Dar and his wife Rukiya Jan. Officials said both are facing multiple cases related to narcotics trafficking registered in Kulgam, Yaripora and Anantnag police stations. Rukiya Jan is currently lodged in Central Jail Srinagar, officials said.

In another operation in Sopat area of Devsar, police and civil authorities demolished double-storey shops allegedly belonging to Showkat Ahmad Wani Dar, who is accused in an NDPS case registered at Police Station Devsar.

Officials said the action was aimed at dismantling infrastructure allegedly used in drug trafficking and sending a strong message against narcotics-related activities in the region.

Meanwhile, Srinagar Police, in collaboration with the Drugs and Food Control Organisation, sealed three medical shops during an inspection drive in Noorbagh and adjoining areas under the ongoing “Nasha Mukt Jammu & Kashmir Abhiyan” and the government’s 100-day anti-drug campaign.

Authorities said the establishments were found violating provisions of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, with inspectors detecting expired medicines and other irregularities during the проверки. Legal proceedings have been initiated against the shop owners.

In north Kashmir’s Kupwara district, Handwara Police seized a property worth around Rs 40 lakh in Kachloo Qaziabad area under Police Station Kralgund, alleging its links with narcotics-related activities.

In a separate operation, police along with Revenue and Excise officials destroyed illegal poppy cultivation in Baderkal Zachaldara area of Handwara. A case under Section 8/18 of the NDPS Act was registered against an accused for allegedly cultivating poppy straw illegally.

Police said the sustained operations across Kashmir are part of a broader effort to curb drug abuse, dismantle narcotics networks and prevent illegal cultivation and distribution of contraband substances in the Union Territory.