Police intensifies crackdown on narcotics network in Kulgam

• Supplier arrested, contraband recovered, illegal structure demolished

KULGAM: In continuation of its sustained and uncompromising campaign against drug trafficking and the narcotics ecosystem, Police in Kulgam have intensified its crackdown against drug peddlers and their support networks through a series of decisive actions across the district.

In a major breakthrough, Police busted a covert drug supply network operating through indirect channels and arrested two accused involved in narcotics trafficking. On 02/05/2026, during naka checking at Kurigam near Railway Crossing, a police party apprehended one Sajad Ahmad Dar resident of Nishat, Srinagar, after he attempted to flee on noticing the naka party. During his personal search, approximately 05 grams of Heroin-like substance was recovered from his possession. Accordingly, FIR No. 110/2026 under sections 8/21 NDPS Act was registered at Police Station Qazigund and investigation was initiated.

During the course of investigation, the backward linkage of the arrested accused led police to Firdous Ahmad Bhat son of Ghulam Rasool Bhat resident of Pehlipora, Waripora Safapora, Ganderbal. Acting on credible leads and after obtaining a legal search warrant from the Hon’ble Court of Chief Judicial Magistrate concerned, a police team conducted a raid at the identified location, apprehended the accused and recovered approximately 20 grams of Brown Sugar from his possession. Investigation revealed that the accused had been operating discreetly for nearly the last one year while maintaining a clean profile to avoid suspicion.

The accused adopted a highly secretive modus operandi by avoiding direct contact with drug peddlers and consumers and instead operating through agents/intermediaries for supply of narcotic substances. Most transactions were carried out during night hours using indirect methods of communication and delivery to evade police detection. Further investigation in the case is underway and more arrests and recoveries are expected.

Meanwhile, in another significant action aimed at dismantling the financial and logistical infrastructure of the narcotics ecosystem, Kulgam Police along with the Revenue Department conducted a joint anti-encroachment drive at Sopat, Devsar and demolished an illegal commercial structure belonging to a drug peddler involved in FIR No. 93/2025 of Police Station Devsar. The demolished structure belonged to Showket Ahmad Wani son of Ghulam Rasool Wani resident of Sopat Devsar. The action was taken after it was established that the structure had been illegally constructed by encroaching upon state land.

These actions form part of J&K Police’s broader strategy to dismantle the narcotics ecosystem by targeting not only drug peddlers but also the illegal assets and infrastructure created through proceeds of criminal activities.