Bandipora, April 29, KNT: Police in Bandipora have booked 13 persons under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act over the past 20 days, registering 15 FIRs in connection with drug-related cases as part of the ongoing 100-day Drug Free Drive.
Senior Superintendent of Police Bandipora Ajaz Zargar told reporters the district police have intensified operations on both supply and demand fronts to dismantle narcotics networks while simultaneously expanding public awareness efforts.
He said 15 FIRs were registered during the period, leading to the arrest of 13 alleged drug peddlers. Police also reported recovery of charas in multiple operations carried out across different parts of the district.
In a parallel action targeting illegal cultivation, authorities destroyed poppy crops spread over 10 marlas of land and booked cultivators under relevant provisions of the NDPS Act.
Police also identified and attached two immovable properties linked to drug peddling as part of legal proceedings aimed at weakening the financial networks sustaining the narcotics trade.
As part of enforcement against misuse of pharmaceutical substances, authorities conducted inspections of chemist shops, sealing eight outlets found violating norms related to the sale of controlled drugs.
The SSP said police have also adopted deterrent measures by displaying photographs of identified NDPS offenders at Police Station Bandipora to discourage youth from engaging in drug-related activities.
Emphasizing community involvement, Zargar said religious leaders, civil society members, and students have been engaged in awareness campaigns.
“The response from the public has been encouraging and is helping authorities move closer to the goal of a drug-free society,” he said.
Police have also established multiple checkpoints across the district, with regular inspections being carried out to prevent transportation of narcotics. [KNT]
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