FIGHTING DRUG MENACE: J&K tops in anti-drug operations

STC NEWS DESK
SRINAGAR, OCTOBER 24 (STC): Jammu and Kashmir has achieved a prominent position in the country in the fight against illegal drug trade, securing the first position in the attachment of properties and action against the accused under the Prevention of Illicit Trafficking in Drugs Act. According to the reports, Jammu and Kashmir is at the top of the country in the fight against drugs, while the police have further intensified their action against the proceeds of drug trade, its associated financial networks and organized groups. Presenting the figures of the achievements achieved under the anti-drug campaign during the ‘Run for Unity’ program held in Srinagar on October 1, Director General of Police Nalin Prabhat had said that 288 properties worth over Rs 138 crore have been attached so far during the ongoing campaign against drugs in Jammu and Kashmir. In addition, more than Rs 80 lakh in cash has also been seized.
According to the DGP, Jammu and Kashmir is currently ranked first in the country in terms of attachment of properties. Similarly, action has been taken against 144 habitual offenders involved in illegal drug trade under the PIT-NDPS Act, which is the highest number compared to any state or union territory. The details provided by the DGP reveal that since the beginning of the campaign, 3257 cases have been registered in Jammu and Kashmir under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. In connection with these cases, about 4000 people allegedly involved in drug trade have been arrested while conviction has been given in 170 cases.
According to officials, more than 2,500 cases have been disposed of. Authorities say that the action against drug trafficking is no longer limited to arrests and recovery of drugs, but special attention is also being paid to tracing the wealth and assets obtained from this illegal business.
Under this strategy, properties, vehicles and other assets obtained from suspected illegal income are being identified and attached or frozen under legal action.
According to police officials, the action against 144 people under this law is an important part of the tough strategy adopted to stop drug trafficking in Jammu and Kashmir. Under sections 68-E and 68-F of the NDPS Act, action is taken to identify and attach or freeze assets purchased with the proceeds of illegal drug trafficking. The main objective of this measure is to deprive elements who profit financially from the drug trade of their resources and to weaken the economic foundations of this illegal business. There are reports of medical drugs, cash and gold being seized during police operations against large drug networks. Authorities say that efforts are underway to trace the proceeds of the drug trade and related assets through financial investigations. The differences in these figures for different periods may be due to the reporting period, the nature of the operations and the updating of the data.
Therefore, the figures for the two periods cannot be considered as the results of the same period. The authorities have also linked the tough anti-drug operations to broader efforts to prevent the alleged financing of terrorism and other illegal activities with drug proceeds.
Police say that along with the crackdown on the drug supply chain, financial resources and organized networks, awareness programs, sports activities and other positive initiatives are also underway to protect the youth from the harmful effects of drugs. Police officials have emphasized that public cooperation along with the efforts of law enforcement agencies is essential for a successful operation against drugs.
According to the authorities, only through continuous crackdown on drugs, identification of financial networks, effective legal prosecution and public involvement, progress towards the goal of making Jammu and Kashmir a drug-free society is possible by weakening the foundations of this illegal business.
(Straight Talk Communications I Inputs from NNB)