Jammu: The Jammu and Kashmir Police on Wednesday said a major narcotics network with interstate and cross-border links was busted with the arrest of most-wanted drug kingpin Gulzar Ahmad alias Lau Gujjar along with several of his associates.
Senior Superintendent of Police (Jammu) Joginder Singh said Gujjar had been supplying narcotics in bulk quantities across the region, and evading capture for more than two decades, terming his arrest a major breakthrough.
“He was a hardcore criminal and a key figure in the drug supply chain. His network has now been fully identified and dismantled,” the SSP told reporters here.
He said Gujjar entered the criminal world as a bovine smuggler in 2006 before launching himself into drug trade around 2016, and scaling up operations by 2019.
A Pakistan-made pistol was recovered from his possession at the time of his arrest on April 4, the SSP said, adding that three of his associated were also arrested and more than 700 grams of heroin was seized.
Interrogation of around 10 more suspects linked to the network is underway, while around two dozen other suspects have been identified and are under surveillance, he said.
SSP Singh said a Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by a superintendent of police rank officer has been constituted to probe the case, who would examine forward and backward linkages of the network including financial trails and assets created through illicit trade.
The police are trying to ascertain the source and the routes through which these illicit supplies entered India — whether through Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir or through other border areas, he said.
Singh said the weapon recovered from the accused drug lord indicates a Pakistan link. “We are investigating that aspect as well, pointing towards broader narco-terror angle.”
The SSP said Gujjar was wanted in at least 28 cases in Jammu district alone and dozens of FIRs are registered against him in other states under different identities.
Highlighting the crackdown against drug syndicates, he said police have so far registered 103 cases related to drug peddling in Jammu district this year.
Out of these, nine cases involve commercial quantities of contraband.
Nearly 11 kg of heroin has been seized, along with poppy husk, ganja, controlled medication capsules, and other such contraband, he said, adding around 20 driving licences have been cancelled, and nearly 200 vehicles linked to drug activities have been blacklisted.
Meanwhile,Senior Superintendent of Police Joginder Singh warning of strict accountability of police personnel, asserting that in any police station area, either the station house officer (SHO) will remain or the drug peddler — “there is no place for both”.
He termed the drug menace a conspiracy by the “enemy country” to push society into addiction, also flagging the alarming proliferation of the illicit trade, saying eight to ten new persons are taking to drug peddling every minute, particularly in the trade of ‘chitta’ (adulterated heroin).
“The anti-drug campaign launched on March 11 by Lt Governor Manoj Sinha is being implemented in letter and spirit, with a zero-tolerance approach against narcotics. The campaign is being pursued on multiple fronts including strict enforcement, public awareness, and rehabilitation,” the SSP told reporters here.
He noted encouraging signs, with some individuals voluntarily surrendering and families approaching authorities for help. “Earlier, these issues were hidden, but now we must openly discuss them in every household,” he said.
The SSP said enforcement measures are being expanded to include cancellation of licences, blacklisting of vehicles, scrutiny of government benefits, and financial investigations into illicit assets.
Flagging alarming rise in drug peddling, he said “the speed at which this is happening is extremely high. Even as we speak, I feel eight to ten new drug peddlers are being created. This is the pace, this is the seriousness with which the drug trade — especially chitta business — is spreading.”
The officer said properties linked to drug activities had been demolished or attached during earlier phases of the campaign, and similar action will continue.
“This is not a small matter but a major conspiracy by our enemy country to push our entire society into addiction. This entire phenomenon of drug terrorism is part of a well-planned design,” he said, seeking support of all members of society to wipe out the menace.
Referring to the contraband flowing into Jammu, he said, “We will target the entire supply chain and hit it hard — very hard. I have issued clear directions: in any police station’s jurisdiction, either the drug peddler will remain or the SHO — there is no place for both.”
He urged the public to actively support the ongoing 100-day drive. “Our goal is clear — to dismantle the entire drug network, ensure that not a single peddler remains active, and rehabilitate victims to bring them back into society,” he said, asserting that the battle against the drug menace has reached a critical stage, and must be brought to an end.
He noted addiction often drives users into crime, including theft, and eventually into drug peddling, creating a vicious cycle that fuels the illegal trade. “We must bring our youth out of this trap at any cost, and this is only possible when society stands united,” he said.
Issuing a strong warning, he said those attempting to continue illegal drug activities by evading law enforcement are making a serious mistake. “No one involved in drug trafficking, at any level, will be spared. At the same time, innocent individuals will not be harassed,” he asserted.
