Nasha Mukt J&K Abhiyaan records major success in Jammu, Samba, Kathua; drugs worth Rs.18.22 cr seized

HARPREET SINGH
JAMMU, JUNE 4: The ongoing Nasha Mukt Jammu & Kashmir Abhiyaan has registered remarkable success across the districts of Jammu, Samba and Kathua, with police intensifying enforcement, awareness, and financial investigations to curb drug trafficking and substance abuse during the first 50 days of the campaign. According to official figures, a total of 237 NDPS cases were registered across the three districts, leading to the arrest and booking of 280 individuals involved in narcotics-related activities.
During the crackdown, police seized 6.842 kilograms of heroin (chitta), 1.032 kilograms of opium, 29.087 kilograms of poppy straw, and 37 kilograms of cannabis (ganja). The total value of the recovered narcotics has been estimated at approximately Rs. 18.22 crore. Apart from enforcement measures, the campaign witnessed an extensive public outreach programme aimed at creating awareness about the dangers of drug abuse.
Police conducted 536 awareness programmes, reaching 60,137 participants, including students, youth, community members, and civil society representatives across the three districts. To deter habitual offenders and major drug traffickers, authorities invoked preventive detention provisions, resulting in three detentions under the PIT-NDPS Act. Simultaneously, investigators targeted the financial networks supporting narcotics trafficking.
Movable properties worth approximately ?83.85 lakh and immovable properties valued at around ?14.46 crore were attached. In addition, ?41.64 lakh lying in bank accounts was frozen, 60 bank accounts were blocked, and gold worth approximately ?13.70 lakh was seized during the course of investigations.
The campaign also focused on curbing the misuse and illegal sale of pharmaceutical drugs. During inspections, police and concerned authorities checked 912 chemist shops, detected violations in 35 cases, cancelled six licences, and sealed 29 shops for non-compliance with prescribed regulations.
Taking a stringent approach against individuals linked to narcotics activities, authorities recommended the cancellation of 125 driving licences and 267 vehicle registration certificates (RCs). The drive further resulted in the destruction of illegal cultivation spread across 8.5 marlas of poppy crop and 32 kanals of cannabis cultivation in different areas.
To improve the quality of investigations and strengthen prosecution, 82 Investigating Officers underwent specialized refresher training in NDPS investigations. On the legal front, police challenged 14 bail orders and one acquittal order in narcotics-related cases.
Furthermore, 80 recommendations were made for passport suspension or impoundment, while details of 97 contractors were shared with the Public Works Department (PWD) for verification and necessary action.
The achievements reflect a multi-pronged strategy involving strict law enforcement, preventive action, financial investigations, community participation, and awareness generation.
Officials stated that the campaign has significantly disrupted narcotics networks operating in the region while creating greater public awareness about the social and health consequences of drug abuse.
Reaffirming the commitment of Jammu and Kashmir Police towards a drug-free society, the DIG Jammu-Samba-Kathua Range stated that the campaign would continue with renewed vigour to realize the vision of a Drug-Free Jammu & Kashmir through sustained enforcement, community partnership, and coordinated action against narcotics trafficking.