Cross-border drug network busted in Jammu; most-wanted smuggler held
Had been evading arrest for a long time despite being under the radar of the police for smuggling large quantities of drugs
Jammu Police on Wednesday said a major cross-border narcotics network operating in the region has been busted with the arrest of most-wanted drug smuggler Gulzar Ahmad alias Lau Gujjar.
Addressing a press conference, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Jammu, Joginder Singh said Gujjar, who was arrested on April 4, had been evading arrest for a long time despite being under the radar of the police for smuggling large quantities of drugs.
Terming the arrest a major breakthrough, the SSP said the accused was a key figure in the drug supply chain and had been operating a widespread network with interstate and cross-border linkages. “With the arrest of the kingpin, a major syndicate has been dismantled and its network fully identified,” he said.
Police said Gujjar had been involved in criminal activities for nearly two decades. He initially entered the crime world as a bovine smuggler in 2006 before shifting to the drug trade around 2016 and scaling up operations by 2019.
A Pakistan-made pistol was recovered from his possession at the time of his arrest. The police also arrested three of his associates and seized more than 700 grams of heroin.
Officials said interrogation of around 10 suspects linked to the network is currently underway, while nearly two dozen more suspects have been identified and placed under surveillance.
The SSP said a Special Investigation Team (SIT), headed by an officer of the rank of Superintendent of Police, has been constituted to probe the case. The SIT will examine forward and backward linkages of the network, including financial trails and assets created through illicit trade.
Police are also working to trace the origin and routes of the narcotics supply. “The drugs were apparently sourced through drone droppings by the contacts of the accused in Pakistan,” said police.
Singh said the recovery of a Pakistan-made weapon points to possible cross-border links. “We are investigating that aspect as well, which could indicate a broader narco-terror angle,” he said.
He added that Gujjar was wanted in 27 cases in Jammu district alone, while dozens of FIRs have been registered against him in other states under different identities. In total, around 134 FIRs are registered against him across Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh.
Highlighting the ongoing crackdown against drug syndicates, the SSP said police have registered 103 cases related to drug peddling in Jammu district so far this year.
Nearly 11 kg of heroin, along with poppy husk, ganja, and controlled pharmaceutical substances, has been seized.
Drug peddler’s property demolished
- Authorities on Wednesday demolished commercial property belonging to an alleged drug peddler in Pulwama district
- This is the first incident of property demolition after the L-G launched the ‘Nasha Mukt Jammu Kashmir Abhiyan’ last week
- Shops and other allied constructions belonging to Mukhtar Ahmad were demolished by the authorities
