September 22:Continuing its efforts to eradicate the menace of drugs from the society, Police have arrested 04 drug peddlers in Ganderbal & Handwara and recovered contraband substance from their possession.

In Ganderbal, officers from Police Post Shadipora at a checkpoint established at Shadipora Bridge intercepted a vehicle (i-20) bearing registration number JK15A-9181 with three persons on board who on noticing the naka party trying to flee from the spot but were apprehended tactfully by the alert police party. They have been identified as Hilal Ahmad Mir son of Ghulam Mohd Mir resident of Mazhama Magam, Irfan Ahmad Rather son of Bashir Ahmad Rather resident of Archanderhama Pattan and Muneeb Ahmad Beigh son of Mohd Sultan Beigh resident of Ganastan Sumbal. During checking, officers were able to recover 45 bottles of Codeine phosphate from their possession. They have been arrested and shifted to police station where they remain in custody. Vehicle used in the commission of crime has also been seized.

Similarly in Handwara, a police party from PS Vilgam at a checkpoint established near Tehsil office Tarathpora intercepted a suspicious person identified as Maroof Ahmad Badana son of Bashir Ahmad resident of Hafrada. During checking, 300 grams of Brown Sugar has been recovered from his possession. He has been arrested and shifted to Police Station where he remains in custody. The accused drug peddler is said to be a notorious drug dealer who is involved in supplying drugs among the youth of the area.

Accordingly, cases under relevant sections of law have been registered in respective police stations and further investigation have been initiated.

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.```