Ten drug peddlers arrested in Anantnag district, contraband recovered

Continuing its sustained crackdown against drug trafficking, Anantnag Police intensified naka checking, patrolling and surveillance across the district, resulting in the arrest of ten drug peddlers in separate operations and the registration of ten FIRs under the NDPS Act in a single day. The operations led to the recovery of cannabis, charas, charas powder, heroin-like substance and other suspected narcotic substances, Police said on Sunday.
At Police Station Larnoo, a police party, during naka checking at Lessu, apprehended Mohd. Iqbal Dangroo, S/o Mohd. Rajab Dangroo, R/o Lessu Branard. A bag containing approximately 2.393 kg of cannabis was recovered from his possession. Accordingly, FIR No. 59/2026 under Sections 8/20 of the NDPS Act has been registered, and investigation is underway, Police said.
In two separate incidents in the Arwani area, a police party of Police Station Bijbehara apprehended Mukhtar Ali, S/o Manzoor Ahmad, and Dolal Ali, S/o Bahadur Din, both residents of West Bengal. Charas was recovered from their possession. Accordingly, FIR Nos. 292/2026 and 293/2026, respectively, under Sections 8/20 of the NDPS Act have been registered, and investigation is in progress.
Meanwhile, a police party of Police Station Srigufwara, during surprise naka checking near Hatigam Crossing, apprehended Mushtaq Ahmad Bhat, S/o Gh. Hassan Bhat, R/o Sirhama. During his search, approximately 55 grams of charas and 86 grams of charas powder were recovered. Accordingly, FIR No. 96/2026 under Sections 8/20 of the NDPS Act has been registered, and further investigation has been taken up.
Similarly, a police party of Police Station Uttersoo, while patrolling near Krad Bridge, apprehended Mohd. Arif Magray, S/o Mohd. Akbar, R/o Deethu Shangus. Approximately 15 grams of charas-like substance were recovered from his possession. Accordingly, FIR No. 101/2026 under Sections 8/20 of the NDPS Act has been registered, and investigation is underway, Police stated.
In another operation, a police party of Police Station Mattan, during naka checking near the footbridge at Bumzoo, apprehended Mohammad Ashraf Ganaie, S/o Mohammad Ramzan Ganaie, R/o Gund Bagh, Seer Hamdan. During his personal search, approximately 90.2 grams of charas were recovered. An FIR under the relevant provisions of the NDPS Act has been registered, and legal proceedings have been initiated.
Meanwhile, Police Post Dialgam established a naka at Bondialgam Crossing for routine checking. During checking, Fayaz Ahmad Magray, S/o Gh. Rasool Magray, R/o Donipawa, Anantnag, was intercepted while travelling from Donipawa towards Bondialgam. Approximately 8 grams of charas-like substance were recovered from his possession. Accordingly, FIR No. 354/2026 under Sections 8/20 of the NDPS Act has been registered, and investigation has been initiated, Police said.
In a separate operation, Achabal Police, during random naka checking at Shehlipora Crossing, intercepted an Innova vehicle bearing registration No. JK02AN-3114, driven by Irshad Ahmad Ganaie, S/o Gh. Rasool Ganaie, R/o Shehlipora. During checking of the vehicle, approximately 8.4 grams of heroin-like substance were recovered. The accused was arrested, and the vehicle was seized. Accordingly, FIR No. 107/2026 under Sections 8/21 of the NDPS Act has been registered, and investigation is underway.
In another incident, Achabal Police, during patrolling at Akingam, apprehended Feroze Ahmad Sofi, S/o Gh. Hassan Sofi, R/o Akingam, Achabal. During his search, approximately 18.4 grams of charas-like substance were recovered. Accordingly, FIR No. 108/2026 under Sections 8/20 of the NDPS Act has been registered, and further investigation has been taken up.
In another operation, a police party of Police Station Uttersoo, while patrolling in the Cheerpora area, apprehended Aijaz Ahmad Lone, S/o Mohd. Hussan Lone, R/o Cheerpora, near Cheerpora Bridge under suspicious circumstances. During his search, a polythene bag containing approximately 12 grams of charas was recovered from his possession. Accordingly, FIR No. 102/2026 under Sections 8/20 of the NDPS Act has been registered at Police Station Uttersoo, and further investigation has been taken up.
Anantnag Police reiterates its firm commitment to eradicating the drug menace and taking strict legal action against those involved in drug trafficking. The general public is urged to cooperate with the police and share credible information regarding drug-related activities to help build a drug-free society, Police added.