Srinagar, Jan 30 (NationPress) Five individuals have been apprehended by law enforcement in the Baramulla and Pulwama regions of Jammu and Kashmir as part of an ongoing crackdown on drug smuggling and peddling, according to police reports released on Friday.

A police statement revealed, “In a subsequent operation linked to an ongoing NDPS case, Sopore Police in Baramulla made significant progress by detaining additional suspects and seizing more contraband, highlighting the existence of a broader network of drug peddling.”

“In the course of investigating Case FIR No. 23/2026, registered under Sections 8/22–29 of the NDPS Act and Section 281 BNS at Police Station Sopore, based on disclosures from previously arrested suspects, Sopore Police detained two further individuals, identified as Mohd Umar Dar, son of Ghulam Nabi Dar, and Nisar Ahmad Bhat alias Shanu, son of Mehraj-ud-Din Bhat, both residents of Naseem Bagh, Sopore,” the report indicated.

From their possession, Sopore Police recovered a considerable amount of Codeine Phosphate bottles. The suspects were taken into custody, and ongoing investigations aim to uncover the connections within the drug supply chain.

“Further arrests and recoveries are anticipated. In a separate operation demonstrating our unwavering anti-drug initiative, Police Post Hadipora under Police Station Dangiwacha set up a checkpoint at Hadipora Crossing. During the checkpoint, a suspicious individual attempted to flee but was skillfully apprehended. A personal search revealed a substance resembling charas in his possession,” the police statement elaborated.

This individual has been identified as Farooq Ahmad Malla, son of Ab Rahim Malla, a resident of Hadipora. A case has been registered under applicable sections of the NDPS Act at Police Station Dangiwacha, and investigations are ongoing.

“Sopore Police reiterate their zero-tolerance stance against drug trafficking and reaffirm their commitment to sustained, intelligence-driven actions to dismantle drug networks and protect the youth and community from the scourge of narcotics. Public cooperation is crucial in our efforts to eradicate drug abuse from the district,” the statement concluded.

In a different anti-smuggling operation, police in Pulwama district arrested two individuals for drug trafficking at Hawal Naka on Friday.

“In an ongoing effort to combat the drug menace, Pulwama Police detained two individuals involved in drug trafficking and confiscated contraband during a routine checkpoint. At Hawal Naka, a vehicle with registration number UP38 AK 7313 (Thar), traveling from Pulwama to Shopian, was stopped for inspection. During the search, 11 bottles of Codeine Phosphate were discovered in the possession of the driver and co-driver. Both suspects were arrested immediately,” officials reported.

“The arrested individuals have been identified as Mohd Fahad, son of Ateek Ahmad, a resident of Hindupora Khada, Uttar Pradesh, and Aman, son of Aabid, a resident of Begam Sarai, Sambhal, Uttar Pradesh. Consequently, a case FIR No. 08/2026 under Sections 8/21 and 29 of the NDPS Act has been filed at Police Station Rajpora, and an investigation is underway. Pulwama Police emphasize their commitment to eradicating the drug issue from society and encourage the public to share any information regarding drug trafficking,” police stated.