Heroin Worth Rs 20 Crore Seized in Anantnag
Jammu and Kashmir Police have arrested an alleged inter-district drug peddler in Anantnag district and recovered heroin valued at Rs 20 crore in the black market, officials said on Tuesday. The operation took place during a routine vehicle check at Halmulla, where police intercepted a car for inspection.
A police spokesman confirmed the seizure: “Anantnag Police has arrested an inter-district drug smuggler and seized 2.613 kg of heroin with an estimated market value of Rs 20 crore.” The contraband was found in four packets hidden inside the car.
Driver Identified and Arrested
The driver of the intercepted vehicle was identified as Ishtiyak Ahmad Moghal, a resident of Tangdhar in Kupwara district. During the search, police initially discovered four packets containing heroin (brown sugar) from the car. A subsequent personal search of Moghal led to the recovery of an additional packet, bringing the total seizure to 2.613 kg.
“Police launched a probe after filing a case under the NDPS Act. A search of Ishtiyak led to the recovery of another packet containing heroin, taking the total seizure to 2.613 kg. The accused has been placed under arrest,” the spokesman added.
Investigation Underway
The arrested smuggler is believed to be part of a larger inter-district drug trafficking network operating in the Kashmir Valley. Police have registered a case under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and are investigating the source of the heroin and potential links to other suppliers.
This seizure highlights the ongoing efforts of Jammu and Kashmir Police to curb drug trafficking in the region. The black market value of the seized heroin underscores the scale of the illegal drug trade in the area.
