December 26: `In a persistent effort to eradicate the menace of drugs from society, Police have arrested 3 drug peddlers in Kashmir and recovered contraband/psychotropic substances from their possession.

In Budgam, Police Station Magam received information from reliable sources that a person namely Mohammad Rafiq Sheikh son of Abdul Razak Sheikh resident of Mazhama Magam has concealed narcotic substance in his residential house for its illegal sale among youth of the area. Subsequently, a Police party of PS Magam led by SHO Magam raided the house and during search, 50 bottles of Codeine Phosphate were recovered from the said residential house. The accused owner has been arrested accordingly.

In Awantipora, a Police party at a checkpoint established at Sail Crossing, arrested a drug peddler identified as Kifayat Shafiq son of Shafiq Ahmad Bhat resident of Sail Awantipora. During search, 3.5 Kgs of grinded Cannabis was recovered from his possession.

Meanwhile in Shopian, a Police party of Police Station Shopian at a checkpoint established at Batapora Shopian arrested a drug peddler identified as Mohd Ishaq Khanday @Hie Khanday son of Gh Qadir Khanday resident of Khanday Mohallah Bonbazar Shopian. During search, 62 grams of Charas was recovered from his possession.

J&K Police affirms its steadfast commitment of eliminating drug peddling in the region with the full might of law. We also caution those engaged in this unlawful activity that the long arm of law would catch them sooner than anticipated and every offender will face justice.```