Onlykashmir.in News Desk
Srinagar Police have busted an inter-state narcotics network allegedly involved in the procurement, transportation, storage, distribution and financing of banned pharmaceutical drugs, arresting eight persons and making extensive seizures during the investigation of a case registered at Police Station Safakadal.
Police said the probe in FIR No. 135/2026 has so far led to the arrest of eight accused. One of them, Haris Hameed Malla of Guzerbal, Chattabal, was traced through technical surveillance and apprehended in Bengaluru, Karnataka. The others arrested are Mohammad Waseem Zargar of Malik Sahib, Safakadal; Inam Ahmad Zargar of Haftiyarbal, Safakadal; Sahib Ahmad Ganie of Danamazar, Safakadal; Ansar Hussain Bhat of Zabar Mohallah, Budgam; Peer Shakoor of Soura, presently at Palpora, Noorbagh; and Haroon Tariq Pandit and Aquib Saleem, both of Guzerbal, Chattabal.
The seizures include 2,19,425 tablets and capsules of pharmaceutical drugs, 3.830 kg of codeine-containing liquid including its container, and around 40 grams of a heroin-like substance. Police also recovered about Rs 85.75 lakh in cash, 108 gold coins, gold biscuits and other gold articles reportedly worth crores, two Rolex watches, a Dior ladies’ bag, a DSLR camera with lens and an iPhone 16 Pro Max. A .32-inch pistol with two empty magazines and a dagger were also seized, and two vehicles were attached in accordance with law.
As part of the financial investigation, police searched two bank lockers held in the name of accused Mohammad Waseem Zargar at Axis Bank, Bemina, after obtaining the required court orders. The searches yielded around Rs 65 lakh in cash along with gold coins, biscuits and other gold articles, with the locker recoveries valued at about Rs 2.20 crore. Multiple bank accounts linked to the accused and others under investigation have been identified and frozen or seized, with roughly Rs 1.07 crore frozen so far. A residential house and two vehicles have been attached under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act.
The inquiry into the supply chain took police teams to Chandigarh, Panchkula and Ambala, where pharmaceutical establishments and transport agencies were examined and invoices, bills and goods receipts were collected. Officials are looking into discrepancies relating to drug licences, purchaser particulars, invoices, payment details and the functioning of certain establishments, in coordination with regulatory authorities.
Faizan Firdous alias Farzan Khanday of Safakadal and Mohammad Shahvar Gaur, who was identified in connection with the pharmaceutical supply chain, are absconding, and efforts are on to trace them and establish their roles. Digital devices recovered are being analysed to map the full procurement, transportation, distribution and financial chain. Police said further arrests, recoveries and asset attachments may follow as evidence emerges.
