Excelsior Correspondent
KULGAM, May 5: Police today busted a narcotics racket in Kulgam district and arrested three persons, including a kingpin from Samba, recovering 202 grams of heroin and cash from their possession.
A police official said the action was initiated after specific inputs about movement of contraband along the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway.
He said a naka was laid at Choimulla in Qazigund area under the leadership of Manav Dhanetiya (IPS Probationer), SHO Qazigund, leading to the interception of a vehicle coming from Banihal side.
He said two accused, identified as Hilal Ahmad Ganai of Kanispora, Tehsil & District Baramulla and Parvaz Ahmad Bhat of Wagoora, Tehsil Wagoora, District Baramulla, were apprehended on the spot and around 50 grams of heroin was recovered from their possession, while the vehicle was also seized.
During further investigation, the police official said the main supplier, Sadiq Hussain @ Showki of Rakh Barothian, Vijaypur (Samba), was identified and later arrested from Samba district in a joint operation with local police.
A raid at his residence led to the recovery of 152 grams of heroin and Rs 52,000 in cash, taking the total seizure to 202 grams, the police official said.
He said the accused was running a well-organised network and supplying drugs across different parts of Jammu and Kashmir, particularly targeting youth.
According to him, a case under relevant sections of the NDPS Act has been registered at Police Station Qazigund and further investigation is underway to trace forward and backward linkages.
The police official said more arrests and recoveries are expected as the probe progresses.
The entire operation was conducted under the supervision of SDPO Qazigund Mansoor Ayaz and Additional SP NHW Mumtaz Ali Bhatti.
Meanwhile, SSP Kulgam, Anayat Ali Chowdhary urged the public to share any information regarding drug-related activities with the police, assuring that the identity of informers will be kept confidential, and warned that strict legal action will be taken against anyone found involved in drug trafficking or peddling.
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