Sopore, Jul 21 : Police in Jammu and Kashmir’s Sopore district have registered 32 cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and arrested 45 persons during the first 100 days of the ‘Nasha Mukt Jammu & Kashmir Abhiyan’.
An official told news agency Kashmir News Service (KNS) the enforcement drive led to the seizure of 4.883 kg of charas, 114 gm of brown sugar, 2.58 gm of heroin, 1,994 psychotropic tablets/capsules, and 183 narcotic syrups, with the total estimated value of contraband pegged at approximately Rs 45 lakh, he said.
In a major action against drug traffickers, police attached properties worth nearly Rs 3 crore under the NDPS Act. Fourteen individuals were booked under the stringent PIT-NDPS (Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances) Act, officials added.
The force conducted 1,950 search operations, raids, and nakas across the district. Over 83 kg of poppy crop was destroyed and four FIRs were registered for illegal cultivation. Eight vehicles used in drug peddling were disposed of, with one auctioned so far. One conviction was secured, while 21 bail cancellation pleas were moved against accused persons violating bail conditions.
Under the ‘Sopore Model’ — as police term their holistic strategy — 416 drug suspects were examined, 128 placed under surveillance, and 187 offenders listed in a ‘Rogue Gallery’. Three kingpins were identified and action initiated against them. Chemists were also put under scrutiny, with 1,304 shops checked and action taken against 26 for violations, including sealing of 17 establishments.
On the awareness front, police organised 232 programmes covering 852 schools and colleges, reaching approximately 28,040 participants. Community engagement included 47 Gram Sabha meetings, 27 religious gatherings, and formation of eight youth clubs and four Mahila Samitis. As many as 305 Numberdars and Chowkidars were sensitised.
Police identified 134 new drug users, with 244 addicts sent for counselling and 44 to de-addiction and habilitation centres. The drug helpline received 200 calls, while 168 press releases were issued to amplify social media outreach. Capacity-building programmes trained 197 personnel.
Officials said the multi-pronged approach combining enforcement, intelligence, and community participation would continue until the district is completely free from the drug menace. (KNS)
