Police arrest 4,536 people since 2023 for drug trade in J&K.
Jammu and Kashmir Police have made significant strides in their crackdown on illegal narcotic trade networks, arresting 4,536 individuals since 2023. In their efforts to dismantle these networks, 463 persons were booked under the stringent Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (PIT NDPS) Act. The campaign has seen the registration of 3,190 cases, reflecting the comprehensive approach of law enforcement agencies to combat the drug menace.
The authorities have focused on breaking the supply chain of narcotics, leading to the detention of key figures in the drug trade under the PIT NDPS Act. In the past 18 months, 463 detention orders have been issued, emphasizing the rigorous legal framework being employed. Additionally, substantial quantities of narcotics have been seized, with 319 seizures reported in 2023 and 110 seizures up to June 2024, highlighting the ongoing vigilance and swift action by law enforcement.
To ensure the destruction of seized narcotics and prevent them from re-entering the market, the authorities have implemented court-ordered incineration processes. In 2023 alone, 29,306 kilograms of drugs and 74,179 pharmaceuticals were destroyed. In the first half of 2024, another 4,365 kilograms of drugs and 26,772 pharmaceuticals were incinerated. This underscores the commitment of the police to preventing the recycling of drugs into the community.
The Jammu and Kashmir Police have also targeted assets acquired through drug trafficking, attaching residential houses, landed property, and vehicles worth Rs. 10.36 crore since 2023 under the Narco Act. Additionally, the police arrested 39 individuals linked to narco-terror networks and registered 19 cases in the last 18 months. These actions signify a comprehensive strategy aimed at crippling the financial backbone of the drug trade.
Efforts to eliminate illegal drug cultivation have also been intensified, with law enforcement agencies destroying poppy and cannabis crops spread over 9,448 kanals of land in 2023. On the rehabilitation front, the police department, in collaboration with other agencies, has established multiple drug de-addiction centers across the Union Territory. These centers have handled 14,180 OPD cases and 1,931 IPD treatments in 2023, with additional cases reported in the first half of 2024.
The Jammu and Kashmir government remains committed to fighting the drug menace through a multi-pronged approach, including prevention, enforcement, treatment, rehabilitation, and information, education, and communication (IEC) strategies. The issue is being rigorously reviewed under the Narco-Coordination Centre (NCORD) mechanism, which is chaired by the Chief Secretary of the Union Territory, reflecting the high-level focus on combating drug trafficking.
Law enforcement agencies have been directed to adopt stringent measures, including the attachment of properties in NDPS cases, to financially disrupt drug trafficking networks. The emphasis on intelligence sharing, strict regulation of psychotropic substances, and mass awareness programs underscores the government’s zero-tolerance policy towards drugs. Collaborative efforts with NGOs, civil society groups, and public awareness campaigns are being conducted to educate the youth and the broader community about the dangers of drug abuse.
