701 peddlers arrested, assets worth Rs 45 crore targeted in Jammu’s anti-drug crackdown

Jammu and Kashmir Police have arrested 701 drug peddlers and seized over 14 kg of heroin along with more than 260 kg of other narcotics during the first two months of the anti-drug campaign launched in May by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha.

A total of 598 FIRs have been registered, leading to the arrest of 701 drug smugglers. Authorities also issued 24 PIT-NDPS detention orders against major traffickers. Recoveries included over 14 kg of heroin, 49 kg of ganja, 3.712 kg of charas and 204.5 kg of poppy straw.

During the crackdown, illicit crops and contraband materials were destroyed, including poppy plants spread over 52 marlas, 25.43 kg of poppy straw, wild cannabis cultivated over 44 kanals, 22,150 units of lahan and 476 litres of illicit liquor.

Officials said strong deterrent measures were taken against drug traffickers. As many as 62 immovable properties worth Rs 19.30 crore were demolished, while 21 properties valued at Rs 24.868 crore and movable assets worth Rs 1.69 crore were seized or attached. Authorities also recommended suspension of 180 passports, suspended 101 driving licences and cancelled 81 others. In addition, the Transport Department suspended 243 vehicle registration certificates and cancelled 94 across districts of Jammu Division.

The details emerged during a review meeting of the ongoing 100-day ‘Nasha Mukt Jammu and Kashmir Abhiyan’, chaired by Jammu Divisional Commissioner Ramesh Kumar and Inspector General of Police, Jammu Zone, Bhim Sen Tuti.

Officials reported extensive awareness campaigns across the division, including 1,32,232 programmes at the tehsil level, 1,69,026 at the panchayat level and 38,03,405 at the village level, drawing participation from all sections of society and transforming the campaign into a mass movement.

To strengthen community engagement, 4,779 panchayat mahila samitis were constituted and 947 youth clubs activated. Awareness drives involving religious leaders, youth groups, women’s committees and religious institutions were conducted with active administrative support. These efforts resulted in hundreds of calls seeking counselling and assistance for drug abuse victims.

The campaign combined strict enforcement with large-scale administrative and awareness initiatives aimed at dismantling narcotics networks across Jammu Division.

Officials said 884 youths were identified for rehabilitation out of 2,293 drug users. Of these, 547 have been rehabilitated and 254 linked with self-employment schemes. Ramesh Kumar stressed the need to strengthen rehabilitation mechanisms, expand counselling outreach and improve helpline accessibility.

He said victims of drug abuse should be connected with livelihood opportunities through employment programmes, while children should be encouraged to participate in sports activities to prevent substance abuse.

The Divisional Commissioner also called for strengthening de-addiction centres through regular follow-up with rehabilitated youths. He directed district administrations to closely monitor existing hotspots and remain alert to emerging areas of concern. He further emphasised data-driven hotspot management to ensure a sustained reduction in drug abuse and trafficking across Jammu Division.