2000 FIRs Registered, 3200 Addicts Detained, 400 Smugglers Arrested: IGP VK Birdi

Srinagar: Inspector General of Police Kashmir Zone V K Birdi Thursday said that Police in Kashmir made significant strides in combating the growing drug menace.
The IGP said that over the past two years, the police have taken up the challenge of addressing this issue head-on, resulting in over 2,000 FIRs being registered and the arrest of 3,200 individuals involved in drug peddling and smuggling. “Among them, 400 are identified as hardcore smugglers.”
The IGP stated that their next focus is on eradicating illegal cultivation of poppy and bhung in the region. “In collaboration with other departments, the police have already destroyed such cultivation across more than 8,000 kanals of land, significantly impacting the supply chain of narcotics,” he said.
Birdi also warned drug peddlers to desist from their activities, emphasizing that stringent laws are in place to deal with offenders.
He revealed that the police have been proactive in seizing properties linked to drug trade, amounting to a total value of Rs 40 crore in the last two years. He added that in the past two months alone, properties worth over Rs 8 crore have been confiscated in Kashmir. “Districts like Baramulla, Anantnag, and Kulgam have been identified as hotspots for drug-related cases, prompting heightened efforts in these areas.”
IGP Birdi commended officers who are directly handling drug-related cases, acknowledging their hard work and dedication in tackling this menace.
He urged the public to support the police in their efforts to create a drug-free society, stressing that this battle requires a collective approach.