Police Crack Down on Illegal Poppy Trade in North Kashmir; One Held, Illicit Crop Destroyed
Baramulla/Sopore, May 10 (PTK): Continuing its anti-narcotics operations under the ongoing Nasha Mukt Jammu and Kashmir Abhiyan, Jammu and Kashmir Police carried out separate actions in North Kashmir’s Baramulla and Sopore against illegal possession and cultivation of poppy crop.
In Baramulla, Police Post Wagoora received specific information regarding illegal storage of illicit poppy crop in an orchard at Nowpora Jagir. Acting on the input, police registered FIR No. 47/2026 at Police Station Kreeri and launched an investigation.
During the operation, police recovered around 5.8 kilograms of illicit poppy crop from an orchard belonging to Gh. Mohi-Ud-Din Dar, son-in-law of Gh. Mohammad Dar, a resident of Nowpora Jagir.
Officials said the contraband was seized on the spot in the presence of an Executive Magistrate First Class and Agriculture Department officials from Wagoora. Further investigation in the case is underway.
Meanwhile, in Sopore, police launched an anti-poppy cultivation drive after receiving credible information regarding illegal cultivation of opium poppy in village Reban falling under the jurisdiction of Police Post Fruit Mandi.
Accordingly, FIR No. 112/2026 was registered at Police Station Sopore and investigation was initiated.
A joint team comprising officials from Police, Excise, Agriculture and Revenue departments conducted a coordinated operation in the area during which the illegally cultivated poppy crop was identified and destroyed on the spot after completion of legal formalities. Samples of the crop were also collected for further examination.
Police reiterated that illegal cultivation, possession and trafficking of narcotic substances are serious offences under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act and warned that strict legal action would continue against those involved in such activities.
J&K Police also appealed to the public to cooperate with law enforcement agencies by sharing information related to narcotics and other unlawful activities.(PTK)
