Srinagar, Oct 26: Police arrested eight alleged drug peddlers in separate operations in Anantnag and Kulgam districts and recovered various contraband substances, including over 7 kg of ganja-like substance, officials said on Monday.
In Anantnag, police apprehended seven persons during a series of operations and recovered charas and ganja-like substances from their possession, while another alleged drug peddler was arrested in Kulgam with 111 grams of charas-like substance.
In Anantnag, a police party from Police Station Anantnag arrested Sareer Ahmad Bhat, son of Khazir Mohammad Bhat, a resident of Chirhama Mirbazar, at Nawvathoo Danter and recovered approximately 230 grams of charas powder-like substance from his possession.
In another operation, police intercepted a Hyundai i10 bearing registration number JK05B-3181, driven by Mohd Altaf Bhat, son of Abdul Majeed Bhat, a resident of Mirdanter. Approximately 153 grams of charas powder-like substance was recovered during the search, and the vehicle was seized.
Police also arrested Bittu Dantani, son of Raju Dantani, a native of Ahmedabad, Gujarat, presently residing at Achabal Adda, Anantnag, and Ajay Kumar, son of Kishan Kumar, a resident of Verrugam Kadi, Gujarat, in separate operations at Wazirbagh and behind Police Station Anantnag. Approximately 17 grams and 22 grams of charas, respectively, were recovered from them.
Meanwhile, acting on specific information, Police Post Sangam conducted a raid at the residential house of Bilal Ahmad Bhat, son of Abdul Wahab Bhat, a resident of Baliyar Marhama, and recovered approximately 7.170 kg of ganja-like substance.
In another operation, a naka party of Police Post Shairbagh arrested Danish Manzoor Shaikh, son of Manzoor Ahmad Shaikh, a resident of Janglat Mandi, Anantnag, at High Ground and recovered approximately 205 grams of charas-like substance.
A police party from Police Station Mattan also arrested Javid Mukhtiyaar Pashoo, son of Mukhtiyaar Ahmad Pashoo, a resident of Gopalpora, Mattan, and recovered approximately 52.6 grams of charas-like substance. Separately, Police Post DK Pora apprehended Bashir Ahmad Bhat, son of Mohd Abdullah Bhat, a resident of Brinty, and recovered approximately 15 grams of charas.
In Kulgam, police arrested another alleged drug peddler during a dynamic naka at Katran, Mir Bazar, and recovered approximately 111 grams of charas-like substance from a polythene bag in his possession.
A case, FIR No. 261/2026 under Sections 8/20 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, has been registered at Police Station Qazigund, and further investigation is underway.
Police said cases under relevant sections of law had been registered in the Anantnag incidents as well, with further investigations initiated. They appealed to the public to share credible information about drug trafficking and peddling to help curb the drug menace.
