By. Irfan Khan
Examiner Bureau | Anantnag:
Anantnag Police on Tuesday intensified its crackdown against drug trafficking and the misuse of medicines, sealing multiple medical stores, attaching property worth ₹85 lakh linked to narcotics trade, and announcing promotions for police personnel in a parallel welfare initiative.
In a joint operation with the Drug Control Department, police conducted inspections of medical establishments in the Aishmuqam area. During the inspections, serious discrepancies were found in the maintenance of mandatory records and stock registers at three medical stores in Arigohal — Ibaad Medicate Chemists and Druggists, Bilal Raina Medicate, and Ganie Medical Store. Following the violations, all three establishments were sealed.
In a separate action at Bijbehara, a joint team of police and the Drug Control Officer sealed M/S Standard Medical Store near SDH Bijbehara after it was found violating Standard Operating Procedures. Officials said the store had failed to maintain proper sale and purchase records of scheduled drugs, breaching licensing conditions and regulatory norms.
Taking the crackdown further, Anantnag Police also attached immovable property worth approximately ₹85 lakh belonging to a suspected drug peddler under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. The property, a single-storeyed residential house located in Shalgam, Srigufwara, belongs to Imtiyaz Ahmad Ganie, who is an accused in a narcotics case registered in 2022. Investigations established that the property was acquired through proceeds of drug trafficking.
Officials said the action was carried out under Section 68(F) of the NDPS Act as part of efforts to dismantle the financial networks sustaining the drug trade. Police reiterated their resolve to continue targeting both peddlers and the economic infrastructure behind narcotics operations.
Amid the enforcement drive, SSP Anantnag Amod Ashok Nagpure announced in-situ promotions for 59 police personnel, including 43 constables and 16 followers, as part of a welfare measure to boost morale within the force.
Congratulating the personnel, the SSP said the promotions recognise their dedicated and unblemished service and are aimed at motivating them to continue performing their duties with professionalism and commitment.
Anantnag Police has urged the public to share information regarding drug peddling or illegal sale of medicines, assuring that the identity of informants will be kept confidential.
