Reasi Police arrest two drug peddlers, seize 4.7 gm heroin in Katra
Synopsis
A routine patrol at Varun Chowk in Katra led to the arrest of two alleged drug peddlers and the seizure of 4.7 gm heroin — a small but emblematic bust in J&K's sweeping anti-narcotics campaign that has already netted 806 arrests, 667 kg of narcotics, and ₹41.85 crore in attached properties since 2023.
Key Takeaways
Reasi district police arrested Suresh Kumar and Jeevan Lal at Varun Chowk, Katra on 13 May 2026 .
4.7 gm heroin ('chitta') was recovered from accused Jeevan Lal during routine frisking.
145/2026 registered under Sections 8, 21, 22 and 29 of the NDPS Act at Police Station Katra.
J&K Police has registered 724 FIRs and arrested 806 persons under the ongoing anti-narcotics drive.
667 kg narcotics and 19,000 units of psychotropic substances seized; 97 properties worth ₹41.85 crore attached.
J&K Police ranked first nationally in PIT-NDPS detentions in 2025 , with 240 detentions .
Reasi district police in Jammu and Kashmir arrested two alleged drug peddlers and recovered 4.7 gm heroin from their possession on 13 May 2026, following a routine patrolling operation at Varun Chowk in Katra. The action was carried out under the ongoing Nasha Mukt Jammu and Kashmir Abhiyaan, the sustained state-wide drive against drug trafficking and substance abuse.
How the Arrest Unfolded
A police party from Police Station Katra was conducting routine patrolling and frisking duty at Varun Chowk when two men were spotted moving under suspicious circumstances. The accused were identified as Suresh Kumar, son of Sansar Chand, a resident of Ward No. 12, Matyal, Katra in Reasi district, and Jeevan Lal, son of Fareb Singh, a resident of Dhamma, Majalta in Udhampur district.
During frisking, approximately 4.7 gm heroin — locally referred to as 'chitta' — was recovered from the possession of accused Jeevan Lal. Both individuals were apprehended on the spot and the contraband was seized following due legal procedure.
FIR and Legal Action
FIR No. 145/2026 has been registered at Police Station Katra under Sections 8, 21, 22 and 29 of the NDPS Act, and further investigation is under way. The operation was led by SHO Inspector Ranjeet Singh Rao under the supervision of SDPO Katra Dr Bhishm Dubey and SP Katra Kameshwar Puri, with overall oversight by SSP Reasi Mukund Tibrewal.
J&K Police's Broader Anti-Narcotics Record
J&K Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat, addressing a press conference on Thursday, said J&K Police has maintained consistent performance against narcotics networks since 2023. He cited a 12-fold increase in the attachment of properties linked to drug trafficking between 2023 and 2026.
According to Prabhat, J&K Police ranked third nationally in property attachment under the NDPS Act in 2025 and secured the top national rank in PIT-NDPS detentions, with 240 such detentions recorded during the year. He also noted a nearly seven-fold increase in NDPS cases compared to the corresponding period last year.
Key Campaign Numbers
Under the ongoing campaign, 724 FIRs have been registered and 806 persons arrested so far. Police have seized 667 kg of narcotics and 19,000 units of psychotropic substances. Preventive action has been taken against 24 habitual drug offenders, and 97 properties worth approximately ₹41.85 crore linked to the narcotics trade have been identified and attached.
District Police Reasi has appealed to the public to share information on drug peddling or substance abuse in their areas, underlining that community cooperation remains central to the campaign's effectiveness.
Point of View
Not just periodic crackdowns. The real test, however, is downstream: whether the 97 properties worth ₹41.85 crore attached so far are being prosecuted to final forfeiture, and whether the near-seven-fold rise in FIRs reflects actual network disruption or inflated registration targets. Supply-side enforcement without parallel demand-reduction programmes has historically shown limited durable impact in border regions.
NationPress
5 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was arrested in the Reasi drug bust on 13 May 2026?
Two men — Suresh Kumar of Ward No. 12, Matyal, Katra in Reasi district, and Jeevan Lal of Dhamma, Majalta in Udhampur district — were arrested by Reasi district police at Varun Chowk, Katra. The heroin was recovered specifically from Jeevan Lal during frisking.
What is the Nasha Mukt Jammu and Kashmir Abhiyaan?
It is a sustained state-wide campaign by J&K Police targeting drug trafficking and substance abuse across Jammu and Kashmir. Under the drive, police have so far registered 724 FIRs, arrested 806 persons, and seized 667 kg of narcotics since 2023.
What legal sections were invoked in the Katra heroin case?
FIR No. 145/2026 was registered at Police Station Katra under Sections 8, 21, 22 and 29 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. Investigation is ongoing.
How has J&K Police performed nationally on drug enforcement?
According to DGP Nalin Prabhat, J&K Police ranked third in the country in 2025 for property attachment under the NDPS Act and secured the top national rank in PIT-NDPS detentions, with 240 such detentions during the year. Property attachments linked to drug trafficking rose 12-fold between 2023 and 2026.
How much property has been attached in J&K's anti-narcotics campaign?
97 properties worth approximately ₹41.85 crore linked to the narcotics trade have been identified and attached under the campaign so far, according to DGP Nalin Prabhat.
