JK drug crackdown: 1,018 arrested, 341kg narcotics seized in first 50 days

Srinagar: The first 50 days of the “Nasha Mukt Jammu Kashmir Abhiyaan” have resulted in the arrest of more than 1,000 alleged drug peddlers, seizure of 341 kg of narcotics, and action against properties linked to the drug trade worth over Rs 200 crore.

The campaign, launched by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on April 11, seeks to dismantle the narcotics ecosystem in Jammu and Kashmir by targeting trafficking networks as well as their financial infrastructure.

Official figures for the period from April 11 to May 29 show that Jammu and Kashmir Police registered 923 FIRs and arrested 1,018 individuals in drug-related cases. Seized contraband included 341 kg of narcotics, among them 12 kg of heroin valued at approximately Rs 120 crore and 23,752 psychotropic tablets. Authorities also detained 55 individuals under the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (PIT-NDPS) Act.

As part of efforts to choke the financial networks behind the trade, police attached 89 immovable properties worth Rs 63.93 crore and demolished 63 properties valued at Rs 19.77 crore, taking the value of action against drug-linked assets to more than Rs 83 crore.

Officials described the initiative as a “people-centric” campaign aimed not only at offenders but also at the support systems facilitating drug trafficking and narco-terrorism. A senior officer said the drive had helped dismantle trafficking networks and curb terror financing in the region.

The crackdown also targeted erring chemists and druggists. Punitive action was initiated against 120 licences, including 118 suspensions and two cancellations. Additionally, 668 driving licences and 13 vehicle registration certificates were suspended or cancelled, while authorities recommended confiscation of 124 passports linked to narcotics cases.

Public outreach formed a major component of the campaign, with over 16.37 lakh awareness programmes conducted across the Union Territory, reaching more than one crore people. Under the Tele-MANAS initiative, 3,572 calls related to substance abuse and psychological distress were received.

Rehabilitation measures were expanded during the period. Government de-addiction centres treated 58,603 patients, including 58,138 outpatients and 465 inpatients, while 192 individuals were discharged after recovery. Social welfare-run rehabilitation centres treated 634 patients and counselled 1,055 individuals. Police-run programmes recorded 451 patients, of whom 138 recovered.

Sinha also led outreach marches in 17 districts, drawing an estimated participation of three to four lakh people, with the largest turnouts reported in Jammu and Srinagar.

He said the campaign would continue until drug networks are fully dismantled, describing narcotics trafficking as a serious threat to society and equating it with “silent terrorism”.

Authorities said surveillance and enforcement measures had been strengthened through inspections of more than 6,400 chemists, installation of 6,881 CCTV cameras, and checks at 2,127 schools and hospitals. Intelligence-led operations identified 3,045 drug peddlers and smugglers, while 386 suspects were examined as part of ongoing investigations.

Officials reiterated that narcotics-related offences would be dealt with strictly under law and that there would be no tolerance for those involved in the trade.

Inputs from PTI)