Srinagar, April 5 (KNS): In a major crackdown on the drug menace, police across North Kashmir have intensified their operations, registering 505 drug-related cases, seizing 347 kilograms of contraband, and confiscating illegally held assets worth ?157.5 crore during 2024 and the first quarter of 2025, officials told KNS.

A total of 643 individuals have been arrested under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, while 113 have been detained under preventive laws, officials told KNS, highlighting a firm commitment to a zero-tolerance approach against drug trafficking.

Senior officials noted that North Kashmir, due to its proximity to the Line of Control (LoC), remains vulnerable to cross-border smuggling and internal trafficking networks.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp ChannelHowever, they stressed that law enforcement agencies are making significant inroads.

In a bid to cut the supply chain and reduce demand, police have also launched 437 community outreach programs, including Thana Diwas events, school engagements, and public awareness campaigns, to rally support for a drug-free society.

“Alongside arrests and seizures, we are now targeting the financial networks of traffickers by identifying and confiscating benami properties,” a top police official said, adding that public cooperation is vital in sustaining the momentum.

Officials reaffirmed to KNS that the anti-drug drive will continue with full force through 2025 and beyond, blending tough enforcement with community-driven solutions. (KNS)