Police on Tuesday said it arrested five drug peddlers from southern Kashmir’s Pulwama district and recovered large quantity of contraband substances from their possession. A statement said acting on specific information police recovered 35 kg of Fukki from one drug peddler, identified as Muhammad Maqbool Wani of Mitrigam. A case (FIR No. 37/2020) was later registered at police station Pulwama, said the statement. It said another drug peddler, identified as Mukhtar Ahmad Malik of Dalipora, involved in supplying intoxicating injections among youth was also arrested. “Large quantities of intoxicating injections and Rs 5,800 of sale proceeds of drugs were recovered from his possession,” said the statement. Besides, the statement said, documents recovered from his possession revealed that he was maintaining saving accounts in SBI and J&K Bank with balance of more than Rs five lakh which the police believes to be sale proceeds of illicit drug trade, adding directions were issued for freezing both the accounts. Further, the statement said, an I-10 vehicle (DL3CAQ-4882) used by the drug peddler for importing drugs from outside the state was seized and a case (FIR No. 38/2020) was registered at Pulwama police station. Similarly, the statement said, during the intervening night of March 15/16 police arrested two drug peddlers, identified as Mukhtar Ahmad Bhat and Shabir Ahmad Bhat – both residents of Kunzipora. “Large quantity of Fukki powder, around 190 kg, and various tools used for grinding/refining poppy straw including grinder machine, digital weighing machine were recovered from their possession,” said the statement. During the investigation, the statement said, it was revealed the duo intended to transport the consignment outside the state. A case (FIR No. 41/2020) was registered in Pulwama police station and investigation taken up, said the statement. Meanwhile, police arrested a drug peddler identified as Abdul Majeed Sheikh of Khadermoh and recovered 3.8 Kg of cannabis from his possession. A case (FIR No. 12/2020) was registered in police station Kakapora. “All five drug peddlers have been arrested and shifted to respective police stations where they remain in custody,” said the statement. Police have asked people to come forward with any information regarding drug peddlers in their neighborhood. “Persons found indulging in drug peddling will be dealt as per law. Our consistent actions against drug peddlers should reassure community members that we are making efforts to keep our society free from the scourge of drug menace as reiterated in our community meetings,” said the statement.
