Shopian Police attaches drug-trade property worth ₹16.56 lakh, freezes ₹4.73 lakh cash
Synopsis
Shopian Police have gone beyond arrests — attaching a ₹16.56 lakh house and freezing ₹4.73 lakh cash tied to drug-trade proceeds under the NDPS Act. It is part of J&K's expanding strategy to hit narcotics networks where it hurts most: their finances.
Key Takeaways
Shopian Police attached a residential house in Melhura village valued at ₹16,56,385 on 18 September 2026 .
Cash amounting to ₹4,73,500 was simultaneously frozen and seized.
The property belongs to Farooq Ahmad Shah , identified as the adopted son of Ghulam Hassan Shah .
Action was taken under Section 68-F(1) of the NDPS Act linked to an FIR at Zainapora Police Station .
Authorities are also cancelling passports, driving licences, and Aadhaar cards of those linked to drug trade.
J&K Police and the Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) have apprehended thousands of drug peddlers in ongoing operations.
Shopian Police in Jammu and Kashmir on 18 September 2026 attached a residential property and froze cash totalling over ₹21 lakh linked to proceeds of the illegal drug trade, in the latest enforcement action under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. The move signals the district police's expanding use of financial pressure to dismantle narcotics networks beyond mere arrests.
What Was Seized and Who Is Affected
The attached property is a residential house built on a plot measuring 1,065 square feet, bearing Khasra/Survey No. 1327, situated at Melhura village, and valued at ₹16,56,385. The house belongs to Farooq Ahmad Shah, identified as the adopted son of Ghulam Hassan Shah and a resident of Melhura village.
In addition, cash amounting to ₹4,73,500 has been frozen and seized. Both the property and the cash were identified as having been acquired through profits generated from the illicit trade of drugs and narcotics, according to the official statement.
Legal Framework Used
The attachment and freezing proceedings were carried out under Section 68-F(1) of the NDPS Act, in connection with a First Information Report (FIR) lodged at Zainapora Police Station. The process was conducted in the presence of a constituted police team, an Executive Magistrate, a Lambardar, and a Chowkidar, ensuring compliance with legal procedures and maintaining transparency throughout.
Broader Crackdown: Beyond Arrests
This attachment is part of a wider, multi-pronged anti-narcotics strategy deployed by the Jammu and Kashmir Police and the Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF). Thousands of drug peddlers and key syndicate operators have reportedly been apprehended in ongoing operations. Authorities have also cancelled hundreds of driving licences and vehicle registrations linked to narcotics transport, and suspended numerous non-compliant pharmaceutical and drug store licences.
Notably, the enforcement framework has been extended to civil documents — including cancellation of passports, driving licences, and Aadhaar cards — alongside property attachments, making this one of the more comprehensive legal arsenals deployed against drug trafficking in the region.
Police Appeal to the Public
Shopian Police reiterated its commitment to eradicating the drug menace by targeting not only those directly involved in illicit activities, but also the financial assets and properties linked to such networks. The public has been urged to share any information regarding drug trafficking or related activities with the police. Authorities say coercive civil measures will continue to run in parallel with criminal prosecutions as the campaign intensifies.
Point of View
Aadhaar, driving licences) alongside asset seizure, creating multi-layered deterrence. The real test, however, is whether these attachments survive legal challenges and translate into sustained disruption of supply chains rather than one-off headline actions.
NationPress
18 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What property did Shopian Police attach in the drug-trade case?
Shopian Police attached a residential house in Melhura village, Shopian, valued at ₹16,56,385 and built on 1,065 square feet of land bearing Khasra/Survey No. 1327. The house belongs to Farooq Ahmad Shah, identified as the adopted son of Ghulam Hassan Shah.
How much cash was seized along with the property?
Cash amounting to ₹4,73,500 was frozen and seized alongside the property attachment, bringing the total value of assets linked to drug-trade proceeds to over ₹21 lakh.
Under which law was the property attached?
The attachment was carried out under Section 68-F(1) of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, in connection with an FIR registered at Zainapora Police Station in Shopian district.
What other measures are J&K authorities using against drug traffickers?
Beyond property attachment and cash seizure, authorities are cancelling passports, driving licences, Aadhaar cards, and vehicle registrations linked to narcotics transport. Non-compliant pharmaceutical and drug store licences have also been suspended across the region.
How large is the ongoing anti-narcotics operation in Jammu and Kashmir?
Thousands of drug peddlers and key syndicate operators have reportedly been apprehended in ongoing operations by J&K Police and the Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF). Hundreds of driving licences and vehicle registrations linked to drug transport have also been cancelled.
