SSP Kathua orchestrates strategic offensive against drug networks; mandates asset seizures, structural investigations

HARPREET SINGH
KATHUA, APR 10: In a high-intensity operational review held at the District Police Office (DPO), Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Kathua, Mohita Sharma, has laid down a sophisticated roadmap to dismantle the drug trade in the district.
Moving beyond routine enforcement, the SSP’s directives during the review of NDPS cases for 2025-26 signalled a shift toward structural and financial neutralization of narcotic syndicates.
Central to the SSP’s new strategy is the “financial strangulation” of the drug trade. Mohita Sharma issued a strict mandate to all Investigating Officers (IOs) to prioritize the seizure and attachment of properties acquired through illicit drug proceeds.
She directed that bank accounts belonging to suspected traffickers be identified and frozen immediately.
To further handicap the logistics of these networks, the SSP ordered that any vehicles involved in drug transport be seized, with a concurrent recommendation to transport authorities for the permanent cancellation of Registration Certificates (RCs) and Driving Licenses (DLs) of the offenders.
The SSP stressed that no investigation should be viewed as an isolated arrest. She directed a mandatory focus on uncovering “Forward and Backward Linkages.” This requires officers to trace every gram of recovered contraband back to its point of origin and forward to its intended destination. By mapping the entire supply chain, the Kathua Police aim to move from catching “peddlers” to catching “kingpins.” To support this, she ordered the deployment of advanced CCTV surveillance at drug hotspots and frequent, unannounced inspections of chemist shops to ensure pharmaceutical drugs are not being diverted for abuse.
Reviewing the performance of various police stations, SSP Mohita Sharma expressed a firm commitment to legal excellence.
She emphasized that the quality of investigation must be foolproof to withstand judicial scrutiny.
Under the proactive leadership of SSP Kathua, Mohita Sharma, the district’s anti-drug strategy has transitioned into a highly structured legal and administrative offensive.
Central to her directives is the aggressive utilization of the PIT NDPS Act (Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances). By invoking preventive detention against habitual offenders and high-level kingpins, the SSP’s mandate seeks to physically remove the “repeat players” from the narcotics ecosystem. This strategy is specifically designed to break the cycle of recidivism, ensuring that those who facilitate the drug trade cannot simply return to their networks after securing short-term bail.
To ensure that these arrests translate into long-term consequences, SSP Sharma has placed a heavy emphasis on procedural excellence and time-bound filings. She has directed investigating officers to compile charge sheets with meticulous attention to detail, ensuring that every piece of forensic and circumstantial evidence is robustly documented.
By mandating that these filings occur strictly within statutory timelines, the SSP aims to maximize conviction rates while simultaneously closing the legal window that allows accused persons to secure “default bail.” This focus on the “legal endgame” ensures that the hard work of field officers is supported by an airtight prosecution.
Furthermore, the SSP has introduced a zero-tolerance policy regarding institutional accountability, particularly concerning the integrity of the public sector. During recent reviews, she scrutinized the potential involvement of any government employees in narcotics-related cases, making it clear that such betrayals of public trust will meet the most stringent administrative and legal repercussions.
By warning of severe disciplinary action alongside criminal prosecution, SSP Mohita Sharma is working to sanitize the local administration from any internal complicity, thereby strengthening the public’s confidence in the “Nasha Mukt Kathua” mission.
Concluding the meeting, the SSP shifted the focus to prevention and community trust. She ordered an increase in Drug Awareness Camps at schools and colleges, aiming to build a “social shield” against addiction.
Beyond enforcement, she instructed all officers to maintain a people-friendly approach, ensuring that the public feels safe sharing intelligence. By combining rigorous “Ops” with transparent policing and prompt grievance redressal, Mohita Sharma reinforced the department’s unwavering mission to achieve a “Nasha Mukt” (Drug-Free) Kathua.