Srinagar: Police have arrested four drug peddlers in Budgam & Kulgam and recovered a huge cache of contraband substances from their possession.
Police Station Khag received information that one person namely Abdul Rashid Malik son of Ghulam Mohammad Malik resident of Shunglipora Khag has kept contraband substances in his residential house at village Shunglipora Khag. Acting swiftly, a police party of PS Khag along with Executive Magistrate 1st Class raided the specific location. During search, 04 Kgs of Cannabis Powder and 09 Kgs of cannabis leaves were recovered from the said location. He has been arrested and shifted to police station.
In another action, a police party of PP Narbal at a checkpoint established near Railway Bridge Kowoosa Khalisa intercepted 02 suspicious persons who on seeing the police party tried to flee but were apprehended tactfully by the alert party. They have been identified as Bilal Hussain Poswal son of Mohd Khan Poswal resident of Arnas Reasi and Mohd Arif Kasana son of Ab Aziz Kasana resident of Parnod Ramban. During search, 04 Kgs of Poppy Straw were recovered from their possession.
Similarly in Kulgam, acting on a specific information regarding transportation of contraband substances in the jurisdiction of Police Station Kulgam, a police party led by SHO PS Kulgam established a special checkpoint at Areha Awhatto Crossing. During checking, one suspicious vehicle (Load Carrier) bearing Chassis number NYF 29975 with 03 persons on board was signalled to stop however, the driver after noticing police party tried to flee from the spot but was chased by the alert police party & intercepted tactfully.
During search of the said vehicle, officers were able to recover 281.5 Kgs of Poppy Straw packed in 30 Apple Boxes.
The driver of the said vehicle identified as Showkat Ahmad Naik son of Nazir Ahmad Naik resident of Okey Kulgam was arrested and vehicle used in commission of crime was also seized. However, two other persons namely Suhail Ahmad Bhat @Sayar son of Mohd Maqbool Bhat resident of Okey Kulgam and Mohd Yaqoob Beigh @Yuka Buda son of Mohd Abdullah Beigh resident of Jan Mohalla Shopian managed to flee from the spot and efforts are on to effect their arrest.
Accordingly, cases under relevant sections of law have been registered in respective police stations and investigations have been initiated.
Community members are requested to come forward with any information regarding drug peddling in their neighbourhood. Persons found indulging in drug peddling will be dealt as per law. Our consistent actions against drug peddlers should reassure the community members that we are making efforts to keep our society free from the scourge of drug menace.

KR Desk