JAMMU (KIMS) — Jammu and Kashmir Police on Wednesday busted an inter-state drug supply network by arresting a drug supplier and seizing approximately 58.068 kilograms of poppy straw-like substance during a naka checking operation in Samba district.
According to a police statement, the operation was carried out by Police Station Ghagwal following specific intelligence inputs regarding the movement of narcotic substances through the district.
Acting on the information, a police team established a vehicle checking naka at NHW Tapyal and intercepted a container truck bearing registration number JK08R-7755, which was travelling from Kathua towards Bari Brahmana.
During the search of the vehicle, police recovered approximately 58.068 kilograms of poppy straw-like substance, which had been concealed inside the container truck in an apparent attempt to evade detection.
The accused driver was identified as Deepak Singh, son of Narinder Singh, a resident of Seshwan, Tehsil Marheen, District Kathua. He was arrested on the spot, while the recovered contraband and the container truck used for transporting it were seized.
Police said the combined value of the seized contraband and the vehicle is estimated at around ₹60 lakh.
In this connection, FIR No. 79/2026 under Sections 8/15/25/29 of the NDPS Act has been registered at Police Station Ghagwal and further investigation has been taken up.
Preliminary investigation has revealed that the accused had transported the consignment from Madhya Pradesh and had linkages in Punjab, with the intention of supplying the narcotic substance in Kathua and Samba districts.
Police said further investigation is underway to trace the entire supply chain, identify the source of procurement and unearth the forward and backward linkages of the inter-state narcotics network. — (KIMS)