Police Attach Commercial Complex in Anantnag Acquired Through Illicit Drug Trade

Srinagar, Aug 1: In a significant action against drug trafficking, police on Thursday attached a commercial complex in Jammu and Kashmir’s Anantnag district, allegedly acquired through the illicit drug trade.

Bijbehara Police Station attached the commercial complex, valued at over Rs 2 crore, belonging to the late Abdul Rashid Dar of Tulkhan Bijbehara. “The property was identified as being acquired through the illicit drug trade, specifically the trafficking of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances,” the police stated.

The attached properties include a commercial building constructed at a prime location on National Highway (NHW-44) at Semthan Bijbehara, covering an area of 5 Kanal 12 Marla land under Survey No. 291 Min. The individual was involved in Case FIR No 210/2020 under Section 8/15-29 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, registered at Bijbehara Police Station.

In September 2020, an underground room in the compound of the deceased Dar was discovered to contain a substantial quantity of contraband substances, specifically poppy straw (Fukki) packed in gunny bags and plastic barrels. The investigation revealed that the deceased had acquired this contraband from illegal sources and stored it for further illicit sale to local youth, thereby promoting drug addiction and illegal trade.

A total of 126 gunny bags weighing 2600 kg and 60 plastic barrels (1395 kg) of the contraband substance were recovered from the spot, the statement said.

This move is part of the ongoing efforts by the police to crack down on the drug trade in the region, aiming to dismantle networks and confiscate properties acquired through illicit activities.