Srinagar, Dec 30: Srinagar Police stepped up offensive against narcotics trafficking in 2025, registering 172 cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act between January 1 and December 29, reveal official figures.
Figures show that 84 cases involved small quantities of drugs, 66 related to intermediate quantities, while 22 cases pertained to commercial quantities, indicating the continued presence of organised drug networks operating within the district.
The operations were carried under the supervision of Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Srinagar, Dr G V Sundeep Chakraborty. SSP Srinagar, officials said, had off and on directed an intensified campaign to dismantle drug networks operating in the district.
As part of the sustained anti-narcotics campaign, police arrested 291 persons for their involvement in drug peddling and illicit trafficking. Officials said the operations were aimed at disrupting the entire drug supply chain — from street-level peddlers to larger syndicates and their financial backers.
During multiple raids, naka checking operations, and targeted searches conducted across Srinagar, police recovered significant quantities of contraband. The seizures included 1.473 kg of heroin, 9.110 kg of brown sugar, and 20.583 kg of charas. In addition, 71.506 kg of poppy straw, bung and cannabis were seized.
The drive also resulted in the recovery of synthetic and pharmaceutical drugs. Police seized 1.950 kg of crystal meth and similar substances, along with 23,767 psychotropic tablets and capsules. Besides this, 799 bottles of psychotropic syrups, including codeine-based cough syrups, and 89 injectable vials were recovered.
In one of the biggest plant-based narcotics recoveries of the year, Srinagar Police seized 130.143 kg of ganja, officials said.
In a parallel financial investigation aimed at choking the proceeds of crime, police froze 208 bank accounts linked to drug traffickers. Cash amounting to `2.93 lakh was seized during operations, while an additional `25.62 lakh was recovered from frozen accounts.
Property attachment emerged as a key focus area of the enforcement strategy. Police attached nine movable properties valued at approximately `0.311 crore and 29 immovable properties worth an estimated `40.27 crore under relevant provisions of the NDPS Act. The total market valuation of attached assets stood at `40.58 crore.
Police also seized 58 vehicles allegedly used for transporting or facilitating the narcotics trade during the year.
“Our focus has not been limited to arrests and recoveries. We are targeting the financial backbone of narcotics syndicates by freezing bank accounts, attaching properties, and identifying repeat and high-value offenders,” a senior official of District Police Srinagar said.
He said the operations were carried out under the close supervision of SSP Srinagar and involved coordinated efforts by police stations, special teams, and intelligence units.
“We are determined to ensure that the proceeds of crime are denied to those involved in drug trafficking. The message is clear: anyone indulging in the narcotics trade will face stringent legal action,” the official added.
Srinagar Police said the anti-narcotics drive would continue in the coming months with enhanced surveillance, intelligence-led operations, and community outreach programmes, particularly aimed at protecting youth from falling prey to drug abuse.