Kulgam Police attach houses worth over Rs 1 crore in anti-drug crackdown

Kulgam, May 30: Police in south Kashmir’s Kulgam district have attached two residential properties worth more than ₹1 crore, alleging they were acquired using proceeds from illegal drug trafficking, officials said on Saturday.

The first property, a residential house valued at ₹50 lakh and belonging to Imtiyaz Ahmad Mir of Kujjar Frisal in Yaripora, was attached in connection with FIR No. 10/2021 registered at Yaripora police station. Police said the property had been identified as being purchased through income generated from the illicit trade of narcotics.

In a separate action, police attached a single-storey residential house worth ₹52 lakh belonging to Feroze Ahmad Khan of Munnad, Yaripora. The attachment was carried out in connection with FIR No. 72/2023 registered at Behibagh police station. Authorities alleged that the property was acquired from proceeds of drug-related activities.

Police said the attachments were carried out under Section 68-F of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act after obtaining approval from the competent authority under the Smugglers and Foreign Exchange Manipulators (Forfeiture of Property) Act (SAFEMA).

The proceedings were conducted in the presence of an executive magistrate and a police team, with officials stating that all legal formalities were followed.

Police said the action forms part of an ongoing campaign against drug trafficking in the district, aimed at dismantling both narcotics networks and the assets allegedly created through the illegal trade. Authorities appealed to the public to share information related to drug trafficking and other narcotics-related activities.The proceedings were conducted in the presence of an executive magistrate and a police team, with officials stating that all legal formalities were followed.