In a breakthrough police have seized 2.7 kg of heroin worth Rs 20 Crore in the international market and arrested three top smugglers in north Kashmir, police said on Tuesday.
Police said, acting on credible intelligence inputs, a police team of Baramulla detained one 28-year-old Nazim Din a resident of Zamboor Pattan Uri during a surprise check at National Highway Khanpora on October 21, 2024.
Upon his search police recovered 519 grams of heroin concealed in a polythene bag under his armpit, they said.
During the initial questioning, Nazim disclosed his involvement in drug trafficking, allegedly under the influence of an unknown individual from DownTown Srinagar popularly known as “Mir Sahab.”
According to his statement, he and his associate, 25-year-old Waqar Ahmad Khawaja a resident of Tangdhar in Kupwara district had received a consignment of heroin on October 17, 2024, from a woman near Noora Hospital in Srinagar, Police said adding the duo used a vehicle owned by Waqar to transport the contraband from Srinagar to Handwara to distribute it among local associates.
Following this lead, Baramulla Police, with the assistance of a magistrate, apprehended Waqar near Handwara Bye-Pass crossing along with his vehicle and seized one more bag of heroin weighing 475 grams, from the car’s boot.
Further investigations led to the arrest of a third accomplice, 50-year-old Manzoor Ahmad Bhat, from Marathgam, Handwara, on October 27, 2024.
Upon his arrest, a search of his residence uncovered four additional packets of heroin, totaling 1,701 grams, concealed in his wardrobe.
The value of the cumulative seized drugs is Rs 20 crores in the international markets.
The vehicle used in transporting the drugs has been confiscated, and all suspects are currently under police remand.
An investigation is going on to identify other members of the trafficking network, including the Srinagar-based figure suspected of orchestrating local distribution, police said.
