In first big catch, ANTF seizes Rs 2.30 Cr Charas; terror link likely

JAMMU: In its first big catch since the formation as a separate body, the Anti Narcotic Task Force (ANTF) today recovered Rs 2.3 Crore worth Charas consignment which was stated to be used to fund terrorism in Kashmir valley.
The consignment which is stated to be had its origin from Pakistan was being dispatched to Maharashtra’s Nasik in a truck which was caught by the sleuths of ANTF.
The ANTF sleuths have also secured the arrest of the driver of the truck who has been identified as Gurbaksh Singh son of Singra Singh of village Loharan, Ludhiana.
Sharing details, SP ANTF Vinay Sharma said that the catch was made on specific information from reliable source that a consignment of narcotics is going from Kashmir to Punjab in a truck.
“A naka was laid near Batra Hospital and during naka checking, a truck bearing registration number
PB13-AF-1246 was intercepted. During checking, huge consignment of Charas like substance was recovered, which was concealed in a specially fabricated cavity in the truck,” he said.
He said that the driver of the truck has been arrested and truck seized under relevant sections of law.
“The Charas measured approx 49 Kgs and looks to be high graded which has an international cost of approximately Rs 2.3 Crores. This is one of the largest catch of Charas in recent times in J&K.
“The ANTF is investigating further details of forward and backward linkages of this Interstate racket and more arrests are expected,” the SP said.
He said that messages have been flashed to Maharashtra police and the officials there have been apprised over the development for further raids over there.
It is pertinent to mention here that ANTF is a specialised wing recently created to deal with Narcotics and Psychotropic substances and related crimes and works under supervision of Crime Headquarters of J and K Police.