Amid intensified crackdown, Jammu and Kashmir sees surge in drug convictions

Srinagar: The conviction rate for drug peddlers in Jammu and Kashmir has soared to 54 per cent in 2024, a dramatic rise from just 23 per cent in 2022, signaling a significant breakthrough in the region’s fight against drug trafficking.

This achievement comes as the Jammu and Kashmir Police, in partnership with other law enforcement agencies, have ramped up efforts to target both drug peddlers and the financial networks fueling the illicit trade.

Central to the success has been the training of law enforcement officers. The Anti-Narcotic Task Force (ANTF) has conducted specialised training for 2,737 officers across the Union Territory, focusing on strengthening their ability to build robust cases against drug offenders.

According to a senior official, these training programs have been instrumental in increasing conviction rates, which have steadily improved from 23 per cent in 2022 to 51 per cent in 2023 and 54 per cent last year.

In addition to these successes, the authorities have intensified efforts to dismantle the financial backbone of the drug trade. In 2024, illegal assets worth Rs 12.04 crore were attached, with properties valued at Rs 50 crore also undergoing attachment procedures, officials said. This is part of a broader crackdown on the financial structures sustaining the narcotics trade.

In terms of arrests, 274 individuals were booked under the Prevention of Illicit Trafficking in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (PIT NDPS) Act in 2024, up from 270 in 2023 and 195 in 2022. Authorities have also launched disciplinary actions against 241 investigating officers for failing to conduct proper investigations into drug-related cases.

Official data reveals that 25,546 awareness programmes have been conducted in educational institutions and local communities. This is aimed at educating the public about the dire consequences of drug abuse and building a drug-free society.

Despite these strides, the growing drug crisis remains one of the region’s most pressing issues. Experts say that the porous borders and Jammu and Kashmir’s strategic location have made it a key transit point for narcotics smuggling into India.

Though significant progress has been made in tackling the problem, the region continues to face challenges due to the widespread availability and abuse of drugs.

However, the rise in conviction rates and the aggressive seizure of illegal assets mark a pivotal step in curbing the drug menace. Law enforcement agencies are now showing renewed determination in their multi-pronged approach to combat the illicit narcotics trade in the region.