Heroin smuggling network busted in Baramulla, 3 held

Srinagar: J&K Police Tuesday claimed to have busted a heroin smuggling network and arrested three key individuals of the nexus in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district besides seizing around 2.7kg heroin worth Rs 20 crore in the international market.

Acting on intelligence inputs, a police team detained one Nazim Din (28) from Zamboor Pattan Uri during a naka check at NHW Khanpora on Oct 21. Upon searching him, officers seized 519g heroin concealed in a polythene bag under his armpit.

During questioning, Nazim disclosed his involvement in drug smuggling , allegedly under the influence of an unidentified individual from downtown Srinagar referred to as ‘Mir Sahib’.

As per Nazim’s statement, he and his associate — Waqar Ahmad Khawaja (25) from Tangdhar Kupwara — received a heroin consignment on Oct 17 from a woman near Srinagar’s Noora Hospital. The duo used Waqar’s SUV to transport the contraband from Srinagar to Handwara, distributing the drugs among local associates.

Following this lead, Baramulla Police, with the assistance of a magistrate, apprehended Waqar near Handwara Bypass crossing along with the vehicle and confiscated one more bag of heroin weighing 475g from the car, which was seized.

Further investigations led to the arrest of a third accomplice, Manzoor Ahmad Bhat (50) from Marathgam Handwara, on Oct 27. A search of his residence uncovered four additional packets of heroin, totaling 1,701g, concealed in his wardrobe.

All three are currently in police remand and further probe is underway to identify other members of the drug network , including the Srinagar-based suspect who orchestrated local distribution, police said.