Srinagar, Feb 17: Continuing its sustained action against the drug menace, police have arrested five drug peddlers in Baramulla and Sopore and recovered contraband substances from their possession.

In Baramulla, a police party from Police Post Mirgund during patrolling intercepted three suspicious persons moving from Kansoth Colony towards Yakhmanpora, who tried to flee but were apprehended tactfully. During search, significant quantity of Brown-sugar like substance and a digital weighing machine was recovered from their possession. They have been identified as Imran Hussain Malla son of Ghulam Mohammad Malla, Tanveer Ahmad Bhat son of Ali Mohammad Bhat and Mohammad Saleem Bhat son of Ali Mohammad Bhat, all residents of Yakhmanpora.
Similarly in Sopore, a police party during naka checking, intercepted an Auto load carrier bearing registration number JK05N-3386. During search of the vehicle, police recovered poppy straw, Codeine bottles, and digital weighing machines besides, cash was also recovered from the accused. They have been identified as Tariq Ahmad Dar son of Mohammad Ramzan Dar resident of Hathishah and Mohammad Shafi Gojree son of Ghulam Din Gojree resident of Ningli.
All the accused have been arrested and shifted to respective police stations where they remain in custody. Accordingly, cases under relevant sections of law have been registered at respective police stations, and further investigation is underway to trace the source and wider network involved.
Police reiterate their zero-tolerance policy against drug trafficking and reaffirm their commitment to sustained, intelligence-driven action to curb narcotics trade in the society.