Jammu and Kashmir Police’s crackdown against drugs in Srinagar led arrest of 156 peddlers in 2024

'This year alone, we submitted 26 dossiers to the Divisional Commissioner, requesting detention orders for individuals involved in drug trafficking,' SSP Srinagar, Imtiyaz Hussain said.

Srinagar: In a major crackdown against drug trade in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir Police have seized 1.7 kg of brown sugar and 2.83 kg of crystal meth along with confiscating properties valued at Rs 4.5 crore belonging to drug peddlers in 2024.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Srinagar, Imtiyaz Hussain said the crackdown on drug menace led to the arrest of 156 individuals, 46 major cases being launched, and detention of 26 notorious drug peddlers under Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS)Act.

“Additionally, seven vehicles and seven residential houses, valued at Rs 4.5 crore, were seized as properties linked to drug-related crimes,” the SSP said while addressing a press conference, here.

“This year alone, we submitted 26 dossiers to the Divisional Commissioner, requesting detention orders for individuals involved in drug trafficking," he said.

Hussain said the proactive efforts of the Divisional Commissioner's office have played a crucial role in ensuring that notorious peddlers face justice and stressed the need for a collective approach to combat the menace.

“This is not just a matter for the police or any specific government department. It is a societal problem that affects all of us, especially our younger generation and children. The more awareness and sensitivity we can create, the better equipped we will be to eradicate this curse from our society," the SSP said.

He drew parallels to the region's decades-long struggle against terrorism, which was mitigated through combined efforts of the security forces, government, and the public.

On August 4, 2023 the Standing Committee on Social Justice and Empowerment conveyed to the Parliament that approximately 13.50 lakh drug abusers are estimated to be in Jammu and Kashmir, with the majority falling within the age range of 18 to 75 years.