Jammu police arrest 3 drug peddlers, seize 500g contraband in Sainik Colony
Synopsis
Three out-of-state drug peddlers were arrested in Jammu's Sainik Colony on 20 October, with 500g of a suspected narcotic seized. The bust is part of J&K's sweeping anti-drug SOP that has frozen bank accounts, attached ₹98 crore in property, and revoked documents — going well beyond conventional policing.
Key Takeaways
Jammu Police arrested Eashar Ali (West Bengal), Ajay Ahirwar and Manoj Bansal (both Chhatarpur, Madhya Pradesh) on 20 October 2026 .
Approximately 500 grams of a suspected ganja-like substance was recovered from Sector D, Sainik Colony, Jammu .
276/2026 registered at Police Station Channi Himmat under Sections 8, 20, 25, 27 and 29 of the NDPS Act .
J&K authorities have attached 125 properties worth ₹98.28 crore and seized 60 movable assets worth ₹7.04 crore in the wider crackdown.
A new SOP enables revocation of passports, driving licences, Aadhaar cards and arms licences of those convicted of drug trafficking.
Jammu Police arrested three suspected drug peddlers and seized approximately 500 grams of a ganja-like substance during a patrol operation in the Sainik Colony area of Jammu on 20 October 2026. The operation, carried out by a team from Police Post Sainik Colony, forms part of a sustained anti-narcotics drive across Jammu and Kashmir.
How the Arrests Were Made
The three accused were intercepted opposite Sainik Public School near Dussehra Ground, Sector D, during a routine patrol. Police identified the suspects as Eashar Ali, a resident of West Bengal, and Ajay Ahirwar and Manoj Bansal, both residents of Chhatarpur district, Madhya Pradesh. All three were reportedly residing in Sector D, Sainik Colony, at the time of the arrest.
During the search, approximately 500 grams of a suspected ganja-like substance was recovered and seized following due legal process. FIR No. 276/2026 has been registered at Police Station Channi Himmat under Sections 8, 20, 25, 27 and 29 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. Investigators are working to trace the supply chain's forward and backward linkages.
J&K's Wider Anti-Drug Campaign
The arrests come amid an aggressive, systematic crackdown on drug trafficking by authorities in Jammu and Kashmir. Under a new standard operating procedure (SOP), enforcement actions now extend beyond arrest to include the revocation of passports, driving licences, Aadhaar cards, and arms licences of individuals found involved in narcotics.
Law enforcement agencies have attached 125 immovable properties worth ₹98.28 crore and seized 60 movable assets worth approximately ₹7.04 crore, while also freezing multiple bank accounts linked to suspected drug proceeds under the NDPS Act.
Inspections and Licence Actions
Thousands of medical and chemist shops across Jammu and Kashmir have been inspected as part of the campaign, with licences suspended or cancelled for establishments found violating regulations. Lookout circulars have been issued for absconding peddlers and smugglers, with strict tracking measures actively maintained.
What Comes Next
Further investigation into the seized substance and the accused's alleged network is currently underway. The broader crackdown — with hundreds of individuals already booked and arrested under the NDPS Act in sustained operations — signals that authorities intend to continue targeting both street-level peddlers and higher-order trafficking networks across the region.
Point of View
Pointing to an inter-state supply network rather than a purely local problem. J&K's new SOP — revoking identity documents and licences alongside criminal prosecution — is a structural escalation that goes beyond conviction rates. The real test is whether the ₹98-crore property attachment figure translates into meaningful disruption of supply chains, or remains a headline statistic while street-level dealing continues unabated.
NationPress
24 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who were the three drug peddlers arrested in Jammu's Sainik Colony?
The three accused are Eashar Ali, a resident of West Bengal, and Ajay Ahirwar and Manoj Bansal, both from Chhatarpur district in Madhya Pradesh. All three were reportedly residing in Sector D, Sainik Colony, Jammu, at the time of their arrest on 20 October 2026.
What substance was seized and what charges have been filed?
Police recovered approximately 500 grams of a suspected ganja-like substance. FIR No. 276/2026 has been registered at Police Station Channi Himmat under Sections 8, 20, 25, 27 and 29 of the NDPS Act.
What is J&K's new SOP against drug trafficking?
Under the new standard operating procedure, authorities can revoke the passports, driving licences, Aadhaar cards, and arms licences of individuals involved in drug trafficking — in addition to conventional criminal prosecution under the NDPS Act.
How large is J&K's overall anti-drug crackdown?
Authorities have attached 125 immovable properties worth ₹98.28 crore, seized 60 movable assets worth approximately ₹7.04 crore, and frozen multiple bank accounts linked to drug proceeds. Thousands of medical and chemist shops have also been inspected, with several licences suspended or cancelled.
What happens next in this case?
Further investigation is underway to establish the source of the seized substance and map the accused's alleged drug supply network. Investigators are working to identify both forward and backward linkages connected to the contraband.
