SRINAGAR — Jammu and Kashmir Police in Srinagar have busted an alleged inter-state narcotics network involved in the procurement, transportation, storage, distribution and financing of banned pharmaceutical drugs, arresting eight persons and recovering over 2.19 lakh tablets and capsules, officials said on Thursday.
The action was taken during the investigation into FIR No. 135/2026 registered at Police Station Safakadal. One of the accused, Haris Hameed Malla of Guzerbal, Chattabal, was traced through technical surveillance and arrested from Bengaluru, Karnataka, police said.
The arrested accused have been identified as Mohammad Waseem Zargar, Inam Ahmad Zargar, Sahib Ahmad Ganie, Ansar Hussain Bhat, Peer Shakoor, Haroon Tariq Pandit, Aquib Saleem and Haris Hameed Malla.
Police said the investigation has led to the seizure of 2,19,425 pharmaceutical tablets/capsules, 3.830 kg of codeine-containing liquid, around 40 grams of a heroin-like substance and approximately ₹85.75 lakh in cash.
The investigation also resulted in the recovery of 108 gold coins, gold biscuits and other gold articles, besides two Rolex watches, a Dior ladies’ bag, a DSLR camera, an iPhone 16 Pro Max, a .32-inch pistol with two empty magazines and a dagger. Two vehicles have also been attached in accordance with law.
As part of the financial investigation, two bank lockers maintained by accused Mohammad Waseem Zargar at Axis Bank, Bemina, were searched following court orders. Police said around ₹65 lakh in cash and gold articles were recovered, with the total value of the locker recovery assessed at approximately ₹2.20 crore.
Multiple bank accounts linked to the accused and other persons under investigation have also been identified, with approximately ₹1.07 crore frozen so far. One residential house and two vehicles have been attached under provisions of the NDPS Act.
Police said the backward investigation into the pharmaceutical supply chain led teams to Chandigarh, Panchkula and Ambala, where pharmaceutical establishments and transport agencies were examined. Relevant invoices, bills, Goods Receipts and other documents were collected, while discrepancies concerning drug licences, purchaser details, invoices, payments and the functioning of certain establishments are being investigated in coordination with regulatory authorities.
Two persons, Faizan Firdous alias Farzan Khanday of Safakadal and Mohammad Shahvar Gaur, identified during the investigation in connection with the pharmaceutical supply chain, are presently absconding, police said.
Digital devices recovered during the investigation are being analysed to establish the complete procurement, transportation, distribution and financial chain.
Police said the investigation is continuing and further arrests, recoveries, freezing or attachment of assets and other legal action may follow based on evidence emerging during the probe. — (KIMS)