Ramban/Budgam/Kupwara, Sept 04: In a series of coordinated operations aimed at curbing the sale of illicit liquor and drugs, police forces have made significant arrests and seizures across several districts.
In Ramban, Acting on directives from Senior Superintendent of Police Ramban, Kulbir Singh JKPS, local police have apprehended two bootleggers in separate incidents. During routine patrolling, a police team from Police Station Ramban detained Dhani Ram, a resident of Tanger Tehsil, who was found in possession of 32 bottles of illicit alcohol (17 bottles of 375ML each and 15 bottles of 180ML each). An FIR (No. 214/2024) under Section 48(a) of the Excise Act has been lodged, and the investigation is ongoing.
In another operation, Om Singh, from Village Adwah, was caught with 17 bottles of illegal liquor (8 bottles of 750ML each and 9 bottles of 375ML each). An FIR (No. 215/2024) has been registered against him under the same Excise Act section, and further inquiries are in progress.
In Budgam, Magam police station has made a notable arrest in its fight against drug trafficking. At a checkpoint in Village Badran, officers detained Irfan Ahmed Lone alias Raja, found with 30 bottles of codeine phosphate. Additional raids led to the recovery of 35 more bottles. An FIR (No. 120/2024) under Section 8/21 of the NDPS Act has been filed, and investigations are underway.
In a separate case of district Kupwara, a police checkpoint in Geerhachi led to the arrest of a 16-year-old boy (name withheld) who was found with 10 grams of a heroin-like substance. The minor has been sent to the Juvenile Home in Harwan, Srinagar. An FIR (No. 203/2024) under Section 8/21 of the NDPS Act has been registered, and efforts are being made to uncover the source and any connections involved.
Authorities urge the public to report any incidents of drug peddling or other criminal activities to the nearest police station or by dialing 112. The police assure the community that they will continue to take stringent action against offenders to maintain public safety and eradicate drug-related issues.
