DrugTrafficking – Kulgam Police Attach ₹1.5 Crore Assets in Major Crackdown
DrugTrafficking- The Jammu and Kashmir Police have intensified their campaign against drug trafficking by attaching properties valued at approximately ₹1.5 crore in Kulgam district, targeting assets allegedly acquired through illegal narcotics trade.
Properties Linked to Alleged Drug Proceeds Seized
According to an official statement released on Friday, the action was carried out in Village Manigam, falling under the jurisdiction of Police Station Qazigund. The attached properties include six commercial shops, five storage godowns, a tin shed, and a plinth structure. These assets are registered in the name of Mohd Ashraf Khanday, a resident of Nipora in Kulgam district, who has been described by authorities as a habitual drug peddler.
Police officials stated that the properties were identified during an investigation into narcotics-related activities and were found to be directly connected to illegal drug operations. The estimated market value of the attached assets stands at around ₹1.5 crore.
Action Taken Under NDPS Act Provisions
The attachment was executed under Section 68-F of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act after completing the required legal formalities. Authorities said the move followed a financial probe which determined that the properties were acquired through proceeds generated from illicit drug trafficking.
The accused is also facing charges in FIR No. 196/2024 registered under Sections 8 and 15 of the NDPS Act at Police Station Qazigund. The case pertains to alleged involvement in the possession and trade of narcotic substances.
Officials emphasized that the legal process was followed meticulously before proceeding with the attachment, ensuring compliance with statutory requirements under the NDPS framework.
Strategy to Disrupt Financial Networks
Senior Superintendent of Police Kulgam, Anayat Ali Choudhary, said the latest action reflects a broader strategy aimed at dismantling the financial backbone of drug trafficking networks operating in the region. He noted that targeting the economic gains of such activities is crucial to curbing the spread of narcotics.
The officer reiterated that law enforcement agencies are pursuing a zero-tolerance approach against drug-related offences. He warned that individuals involved not only in peddling but also in financing, sheltering offenders, or facilitating the narcotics trade will face strict legal consequences. These may include property attachment, detailed financial scrutiny, and prosecution under stringent provisions of the law.
Warning to Offenders and Appeal to Public
Police authorities have made it clear that assets generated through illegal activities will not remain beyond the reach of the law. SSP Choudhary stated that unlawful wealth linked to narcotics trade would be traced and seized, sending a strong deterrent message to those engaged in such crimes.
At the same time, the district police have sought cooperation from the public in their ongoing anti-drug campaign. Residents have been urged to share credible information about drug-related activities and assist authorities in safeguarding young people from substance abuse.
Officials believe that community participation plays a vital role in curbing the narcotics problem and protecting society from its long-term consequences. The latest property attachment, they said, forms part of sustained enforcement measures designed to weaken drug networks and reinforce accountability under the law.