Srinagar, May 19 (IANS) Two drug peddlers, including a state roadways driver, were arrested in J&K’s Baramulla district after a substance resembling ‘charas’ was recovered from them, police said on Tuesday.

A police statement said that, continuing its crackdown against drug peddling, Baramulla police achieved the success after Police Station Sheeri established a naka/patrolling check in the Fatehgarh area.

During naka checking and patrolling, the police party apprehended one person. During his search, two sticks of charas-like substance wrapped in corn husk were recovered from his possession.

The accused was identified as Sajad Ahmad Malik, son of A. Jabbar Malik, resident of Fatehgarh. During further investigation and on the disclosure of the accused, another person, Mohd Shafi Lone, son of Abdul Jabbar Lone, resident of Malpora, working as an SRTC bus driver, was apprehended in the backward link from the Fatehgarh area.

During his personal search, a stick of charas-like substance was recovered from his possession. Preliminary investigation revealed that the accused driver was allegedly using a government SRTC vehicle for the transportation of contraband substances for sale and purchase.

Accordingly, FIR No. 21/2026 under Section 8/20 of the NDPS Act has been registered at Police Station Sheeri, and further investigation is going on.

“Baramulla police reiterates its commitment towards eliminating the menace of drugs from society and urges the general public to cooperate with the police by sharing any information related to drug peddling or other criminal activities in their areas,” the statement added.

J&K Police and the security forces have been carrying out aggressive operations against drug smugglers, drug peddlers and those dealing in drugs.

Lt. Governor, Manoj Sinha, while launching the 100-day long Nasha Mukt Jammu and Kashmir Abhiyaan, said that additional punishments for drug smugglers include cancellation of passports, driving licences, Aadhaar cards and attachment of property created out of funds generated through drug smuggling, drug peddling and drug trade.

–IANS

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