*March 07:* ```Police in its recent action against drug dealings in South Kashmir’s Awantipora and Central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district have arrested five drug peddlers and recovered contraband & psychotropic substances from their possession.

In Awantipora, Officers at a checkpoint established at Shar Shali in the jurisdiction of Police Station Khrew intercepted a vehicle bearing registration number CHO1M-9839 with four persons on board. They have been identified as Irfan Ahmad Bhat, Shabir Ahmad Sheikh both residents of Shar Shalli, Tanveer Ahmad Ahanger resident of Khanmouh and Irfan Nazir resident of Awantipora.

During checking police recovered 6 kilograms of poppy straw, 440 grams of charas and 10 grams of Heroin from their possession. They have been arrested and shifted to Police Station Khrew where they remain in custody. Vehicle involved in the commission of crime was also seized.

A Case FIR No. 10/2020 under relevant sections of law has been registered in Police Station Khrew and further investigation has been taken up.

In Ganderbal, officers at a checkpoint established near Manasbal Crossing intercepted one person identified as Rizwan Ahmad Khan resident of Panjigam. During checking, Officers were able to recover 48 bottles of codeine phosphate from his possession. He has been arrested and shifted to Police Station Safapora where he remains in custody.

A case FIR number 04/2020 under relevant sections of law has been registered at Police Station Safapora and investigation has been taken up.

Community members are requested to come forward with any information regarding drug peddlers in their neighbourhood. Persons found indulging in drug peddling will be dealt as per law.

Our consistent actions against drug peddlers should reassure the community members that we are making efforts to keep our society free from the scourge of drug menace as reiterated in our community meetings.```