Srinagar Police attach properties worth over Rs 13 crore in drug trafficking crackdown

In a major offensive against drug trafficking and its financial networks, Srinagar Police on Thursday froze and attached multiple residential properties and a vehicle worth crores of rupees under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.

The coordinated action was carried out by Police Stations Khanyar, Pantha Chowk, Shalteng, Safakadal, Soura and Ahmadnagar, covering different subdivisions of Srinagar Police.

The properties were identified during financial investigations as assets allegedly acquired through the proceeds of illicit drug trafficking. Action has been initiated under Sections 68-E and 68-F of the NDPS Act, following the prescribed legal procedures.

Police Station Khanyar attached four residential properties and one vehicle allegedly belonging to drug peddlers. The properties belong to Aijaz Ahmad Bhat, son of Bashir Ahmad Bhat, a resident of Khanyar; Aaqib Hyder Khan, son of Mohammad Ayoub Khan, a resident of Dalgate; Majid Ashraf Wani, son of Mohammad Ashraf Wani, a resident of Sheeshgari Mohalla, Khanyar; and Shabir Ahmad Bangroo, son of Ghulam Qadir Bangroo, a resident of Bangroo Mohalla, Safakadal. The total value of these assets has been reported as Rs 8 crore.

Police Station Pantha Chowk attached a property worth Rs 1.24 crore allegedly belonging to Saqib Bashir Bhat, alias Sakpal, son of Bashir Ahmad Bhat, a resident of Khanmoh, Srinagar.

The residential property was attached as part of a financial investigation into suspected proceeds of drug trafficking.

Similarly, Police Station Shalteng attached a residential property worth Rs 1.21 crore belonging to accused Danish Ahmad Bhat, son of Abdul Ahad Bhat, a resident of Panzinara, Srinagar. The property comprises a two-storeyed residential house built on one kanal of land.

During the investigation, the property was identified as having allegedly been acquired through the proceeds of illicit narcotic activities. It was subsequently frozen under Section 68-F of the NDPS Act, and the freezing order was duly served.

Police Station Safakadal attached a three-storeyed residential house allegedly belonging to Faizan Firdous Khanday alias Farzan Pujj, son of Firdous Ahmad Khanday, a resident of Malik Sahib, Safakadal.

The case is registered under Sections 8/22, 25, 27A and 29 of the NDPS Act, Sections 3/4/25 of the Arms Act, and Section 111 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

The property was attached under Section 68-F of the NDPS Act as part of the ongoing investigation into an alleged organised drug trafficking network.

In another case, Srinagar Police seized a property worth Rs 1 crore allegedly belonging to Adil Ahmad Patoo, son of Ali Mohd Patoo, a resident of Shah Mohalla, Ahmadnagar, Srinagar.

During a financial investigation under Section 68-E of the NDPS Act, the property was identified as having allegedly been acquired through illicit narcotic activities. It was subsequently frozen under Section 68-F of the Act in the presence of the Executive Magistrate.

Police Station Soura also seized a property worth Rs 1.18 crore allegedly belonging to Khalid Nazir Chiloo, son of Nazir Ahmad Chiloo, a resident of Umar Colony-B, Lal Bazar, Srinagar.

The property was identified during a financial investigation as an asset allegedly acquired through the proceeds of drug trafficking. The freezing and attachment proceedings under Section 68-F of the NDPS Act were carried out in the presence of the Executive Magistrate and local witnesses.

According to a Srinagar Police spokesperson, the coordinated action reflects the police force’s sustained and intensified efforts to target the financial backbone of drug trafficking networks, going beyond the arrest of offenders and the seizure of narcotic substances.

By identifying, tracing, freezing and attaching properties allegedly acquired through illicit drug proceeds, Srinagar Police aims to dismantle the economic infrastructure sustaining organised narcotic activities.

Srinagar Police reiterated its zero-tolerance policy towards drug trafficking and reaffirmed its commitment to pursuing offenders, dismantling their networks and depriving them of the financial gains of their illegal activities, strictly in accordance with the law.

“The message is unequivocal: drug trafficking will not only invite criminal prosecution, but assets acquired through its illegal proceeds will also face stringent legal action,” the spokesperson said, adding that the campaign would continue with renewed determination to protect the youth of Kashmir and safeguard society from the menace of drugs.