Over 200 kg of Poppy Straw Confiscated from Truck in Udhampur, J&K
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Jammu, December 2 (NationPress) On Monday, the Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) Police successfully confiscated a truck and detained its driver in the Udhampur district after uncovering over 200 kg of poppy straw inside the vehicle.
Poppy straw refers to the leftover husk after the opium is extracted from the pods. This substance contains a trace amount of morphine, and when consumed in sufficient quantities, it can induce a high.
There exists a specific group of individuals addicted to poppy straw, who are regularly supplied with this substance.
A police statement indicated that a significant attempt at narcotic smuggling was thwarted in Udhampur district with the recovery of this substantial quantity of the psychotropic substance.
“One individual was arrested at the 'naka' point Jakhani on the National Highway with 211 kg of poppy straw. This operation is part of an ongoing campaign against drug trafficking and substance abuse,” the police reported.
“A team from the Udhampur police station, led by the Station House Officer, conducted a 'naka' check at Jakhani and stopped a truck traveling from Srinagar to Jammu. Upon searching the vehicle, they discovered eight bags (totaling 211 kg) filled with a substance resembling poppy straw.
“Upon initial questioning, the driver identified himself as Mohd. Hanief, son of Haider Ali, a resident of Village Toli, District Chamba, Himachal Pradesh. The accused driver was arrested on-site, and both the vehicle and the contraband were seized. A case identified as FIR NO. 476/2024 under sections 8/15 of the NDPS Act has been registered at the Udhampur Police Station, and an investigation is currently underway,” police officials stated.
Earlier that same day, police also attached the residence of a drug peddler in the Sogam area of Kupwara district.
On the previous day, ten drug peddlers were taken into custody by police in the Srinagar district.
Law enforcement agencies throughout J&K have been intensively combating drug smugglers and peddlers to curb the illicit trade that adversely impacts the youth of the Union Territory.
Intelligence reports suggest that most drugs are trafficked into the Union Territory from across the Line of Control (LoC) and the International Border (IB).
The financial gains from this trade are believed to support terrorism.
Furthermore, it is thought that once youth become dependent on these substances, they are easily manipulated by terrorists and handlers operating from beyond the border.
Authorities have also been confiscating the properties of drug peddlers and smugglers, based on the belief that such assets are acquired through the profits of illegal drug trade.
