In a major crackdown on narcotics in Jammu and Kashmir, police arrested nine drug peddlers from various locations in Jammu and Udhampur districts, recovering large quantities of heroin, ganja, poppy straw, and Rs20 lakh in cash, officials said Monday.
Among those arrested were Sadiq Ali alias “Jattu”, a resident of Kathua’s Marheen area, and his father-in-law, Saif Ali alias “Safu” of Bishnah. The duo was nabbed at a police checkpoint in Sikandarpur Kothey with 283 grams of heroin and Rs20 lakh cash hidden in their car.
In separate operations in Udhampur, three individuals were caught with 10.5 kilograms of poppy straw in Rehambal. In Tikri, two motorcyclists were found carrying 8.77 grams of heroin, while in Kud, police intercepted a vehicle carrying nearly 1 kilogram of ganja. Another man was arrested in Jammu’s Janipora with 2.3 kilograms of ganja.
Authorities also took action in Kathua district by detaining Pankaj Sharma alias “Panku”, a repeat offender, under the PIT-NDPS Act on orders from the Jammu Divisional Commissioner. Police also demolished two shops in Jammu’s Rajeev Nagar linked to an alleged drug peddler, as part of the ongoing crackdown.
Police said these coordinated efforts aim to deter narcotic trafficking and send a strong message to offenders in the region.
