‘1.71 kg of narcotics recovered; crackdown continues as SSP vows property seizure of absconders’
Diplomat Correspondent
Kupwara,(DD): In a major crackdown on narcotics trafficking, Kupwara Police have arrested three individuals — including a notorious female drug kingpin from South Kashmir — and recovered 1.71 kilograms of contraband during a late-night operation.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Kupwara, Ghulam Jeelani, speaking at a press conference, said the arrests were made when a police party intercepted a suspicious vehicle. A subsequent search led to the recovery of a substantial quantity of drugs.
“One of the arrested is Haseena Begum, a well-known drug trafficker with multiple FIRs registered against her across various districts, including in North Kashmir,” SSP Jeelani revealed. “She has been instrumental in smuggling narcotics from South to North Kashmir and has long evaded law enforcement.”
The vehicle used in the smuggling operation has also been seized. An FIR has been registered, and further investigation is underway to expose the wider network involved in the illicit trade.
The SSP further disclosed that the woman kingpin’s brother is a serving government employee. “We are writing to the Director of the Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution (CAPD) department to initiate stringent departmental action against him,” he said.
In a bid to tighten surveillance, particularly in sensitive border regions such as Tangdhar, the SSP announced the deployment of female personnel from the Border Security Force (BSF) and local police to check women suspects. “Some female traffickers misuse their gender and personal circumstances to bypass security checks. This will no longer be tolerated,” he affirmed.
He also issued a strong warning to absconders previously involved in drug cases. “Their properties will be attached. There will be no safe haven for anyone associated with the drug trade,” SSP Jeelani warned.
Reiterating the department’s zero-tolerance policy, he concluded, “Anyone found involved in narcotics trafficking will face the full force of the law — including the attachment of assets.” (DD)
