HANDWARA: In its ongoing crackdown against the menace of drugs, Handwara Police on Wednesday apprehended a drug peddler during routine naka checking at Wateyen, under the jurisdiction of Police Post Chogul, officials said.

The accused has been identified as Ghulam Mohd. Rather, son of Asadullah Rather, resident of Reshigund Dardsun, Kupwara. Upon search, contraband substance (poppy straw/poppy flakes) was recovered from his possession.

In this connection, a case FIR No. 164/2025 under Section 8/15 of the NDPS Act has been registered at Police Station Handwara, and the accused has been formally arrested, it reads.

It reads that "further investigation is underway to trace the source of the contraband and to unearth the broader network involved in the illicit trade."