J&K Police arrest four, seize 2.672 kg opium in Kathua interstate smuggling case

Jammu and Kashmir Police have busted an alleged inter-state opium smuggling network in Kathua district, arresting four people and recovering 2.672 kg of opium, officials said on Monday.

Acting on intelligence about the movement of narcotics, a team from Lakhanpur police station set up a checkpoint on the bypass road near Shamshaan Ghat and intercepted a truck. A search of the vehicle led to the recovery of 1.026 kg of opium and the arrest of driver Gurvinder Singh and his associate Sukhdev Singh, both residents of Punjab’s Tarn Taran district.

During questioning, Sukhdev allegedly told investigators that the consignment had originated in Gujarat and was handed over to him in Rajasthan by an unidentified handler for delivery to a receiver in Punjab.

Following the lead, police raided a location in Nakki village of Pathankot district and traced the alleged receiver, Rakesh Kumar. Investigators found that the remaining contraband had been concealed at the residence of Rakesh’s neighbour, Ajay Kumar. A subsequent search resulted in the recovery of the remaining opium, taking the total seizure to 2.672 kg. Rakesh and Ajay were subsequently arrested.

Police have registered a case under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act at Lakhanpur police station. Investigators are now working to establish the wider backward and forward links of the alleged interstate trafficking network, including its source, handlers and intended recipients.

The operation was carried out under the supervision of Kathua SSP Mohita Sharma, with the Lakhanpur SHO leading the police team. The latest action comes amid intensified anti-narcotics operations in Kathua, where police have recently reported several drug-related seizures and arrests.

with inputs from PTI