Excelsior Correspondent
KULGAM, Apr 10: Police in Kulgam town claimed to have arrested five drug peddlers in separate operations, including two accused identified through backward linkages, and sealed a medical shop for violating norms related to the sale of Schedule H medicines.
Schedule H drugs are prescription medications in India, under the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules 1945, which cannot be purchased over-the-counter without a qualified doctor’s prescription.
Officials said during naka checking at Furrah New Bypass, a team from Police Post Mir Bazar apprehended a suspect who tried to flee on noticing the police.
On search, officers recovered about 110 grams of Charas, 2 grams of heroin and Rs 22,000 in cash from his possession, they said.
The accused was identified as Danish Khurshid of Redwani, Qoimoh. He was accordingly booked under the relevant sections of the NDPS Act registered at Police Station Qazigund.
Officials said that in another operation conducted on April 8 at Akhran, a police team intercepted another suspect attempting to escape.
Around 63.11 grams of Charas and 2.03 grams of heroin were recovered from him. The accused, identified as Faruk Ali, a resident of Delhi, was accordingly arrested and booked under the relevant sections of the NDPS Act.
In a separate action at Kurigam Railway Bridge, officials said, police intercepted a man and recovered 109 grams of charas concealed in corn husk. The accused, identified as Abdul Qayoom Shah of Dooru, Anantnag, was accordingly arrested and booked under the relevant sections of the law.
They said during further investigation, police established backward linkages and conducted searches in Anantnag, leading to the arrest of two more accused-Mohammad Iqbal Rather and Mukhtar Ahmad Wagay.
During the searches, 1.212 kilograms of charas was recovered, exposing a larger supply chain, officials said.
Meanwhile, Police Station Qaimoh, along with the Drug Department, carried out a joint inspection drive against the illegal sale of medicines.
Officials said during the drive, several medical shops were found violating norms, and action for suspension of licences was recommended.
They said one establishment, RH Medical Store, was sealed on the spot for failing to maintain mandatory records required for sale of Schedule H medicines.
SSP Kulgam Anayat Ali Choudhary said police will continue strict action against drug peddlers and urged the public to share information to help curb the menace.
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