J-K Police recover over 2000 grams of heroin worth Rs 20 crores in Baramulla; arrest 3

Baramulla (Jammu and Kashmir) [India], October 29 (ANI): Jammu and Kashmir Police in Baramulla seized 2,695 grams of heroin worth Rs 20 crores and arrested three key figures of a heroin smuggling ring, police said in a statement.
Acting on credible intelligence, a police team detained Nazim Din (28), a resident of Zamboor Pattan during a surprise naka at NHW Khanpora on October 21. Upon search, officers found 519 grams of heroin concealed in a polythene bag under his armpit, the statement added.
"During initial questioning, Nazim disclosed his involvement in drug trafficking, allegedly under the influence of an unknown individual from Downtown Srinagar referred to as "Mir Sb." According to his statement, he and his associate, Waqar Ahmad Khawaja (25), a resident of Tanghdhar, Kupwara, had received a consignment of heroin on October 17 from a woman near Noora Hospital in Srinagar. The duo used a vehicle owned by Waqar to transport the contraband from Srinagar to Handwara, distributing the drugs among local associates," it added.
Following this lead, Baramulla police, with the assistance of a magistrate, apprehended Waqar Ahmad near the Handwara bye-pass crossing along with his vehicle and seized one more bag of heroin weighing 475 grams, from the car's boot, it added.
Further investigations led to the arrest of a third accomplice, Manzoor Ahmad Bhat( 50), from Marathgam, Handwara, on October 27. Upon his arrest, a search of his residence uncovered four additional packets of heroin, totalling 1,701 grams, concealed in his wardrobe, the statement added.
The statement added that 519 grams of contraband were recovered from Nazim, 519 grams from Waqar and 475 grams were recovered from Manzoor Ahmad.
"The value of the seized drug is 20 crores in international markets," the statement added.
The seized vehicle used in transporting the drugs has been confiscated, and all suspects are currently under police remand. The investigation is going on to identify other members of the trafficking network, including the Srinagar-based figure suspected of orchestrating local distribution, it added. (ANI)