SRINAGAR: Srinagar Police on Thursday claimed to have busted a major organised narcotics network operating in downtown Srinagar, arresting eight persons and recovering a large quantity of banned drugs, a pistol, ₹85.76 lakh in cash and gold valued at over ₹1.05 crore.
Addressing a press conference, SSP Srinagar Dr G.V. Sundeep Chakravarthy said the investigation had exposed a structured drug supply chain in which the accused allegedly performed different roles in the procurement, transportation and distribution of narcotics.
“There was an organised network in downtown and it was a well-organised supply chain,” the SSP said.
Police have registered FIR No. 135/2026 at Police Station Safakadal under Sections 8, 21, 22, 29, 25 and 27A of the NDPS Act, Sections 3, 4 and 25 of the Arms Act and Section 111 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
The arrested accused have been identified as Mohammad Waseem Zargar of Patlipora, Chattabal; Haris Hameed Malla of Guzarbal, Chattabal; Aqib Saleem Dar of Rampora, Chattabal; Inam Ahmad Zargar of Haftiyar, Safakadal; Sahib Ahmad Ganaie of Danamazar, Safakadal; Ansar Hussain Bhat of Zabar Mohalla, Budgam; Peer Shakoor of Palpora, Noorbagh; and Haroon Pandit of Guzarbal, Chattabal.
According to police, the recoveries include 3.830 kilograms of codeine, approximately 40 grams of heroin, 414 tramadol tablets or capsules, around 2.18 lakh tapentadol tablets and 1,200 pregabalin capsules.
A pistol and approximately ₹85.76 lakh in cash were also recovered during the investigation.
Police further seized 108 gold coins and around 17 grams of MMTC-PAMP gold or jewellery, with the combined value estimated at ₹1,05,29,400.
As part of the financial investigation, police have frozen approximately ₹1.07 crore held in multiple bank accounts linked to the alleged network.
A residential house belonging to accused Mohammad Waseem Zargar and two vehicles — a Maruti Brezza (JK01AK-7523) and a Suzuki Ertiga (JK01AX-4601) — have also been attached.
The investigation has expanded beyond Jammu and Kashmir, with police teams reaching Chandigarh and Punjab to trace the supply network.
“We reached up to Chandigarh. Punjab Police and the NCB also supported us,” the SSP said, acknowledging assistance from the Punjab Police and Narcotics Control Bureau.
Police are now examining the role of transport agencies allegedly used to move narcotics and tracing the network’s distributors, financial beneficiaries and other associates.
The SSP said the objective was not merely to arrest individuals and recover contraband but to dismantle the entire supply chain.
“Along with arrests and recoveries, Srinagar Police’s target is to dismantle the entire narcotics model,” he said.
Meanwhile, police have identified three alleged associates — Mazam Firdous Khanday, Farzan Pallwala and Mohammad Sharvar, all residents of Muzaffar Nagar in Uttar Pradesh — who are currently absconding.
The SSP said further arrests and recoveries were expected as the investigation progresses.
