Eight arrested; over 2.19 lakh tablets/capsules seized, ₹85.75 lakh cash recovered, assets worth crores traced; supply chain followed up to Chandigarh, Panchkula and Ambala
Srinagar, Oct 1 (JKNS): Srinagar Police have busted what they described as a major organised narcotics network operating in the city, with the investigation exposing an interstate supply chain involved in procurement, transportation, storage, distribution and financing of banned pharmaceutical drugs.
Addressing a press conference, SSP Srinagar Dr G.V. Sundeep Chakravarthy said eight accused persons have so far been arrested during the investigation into FIR No. 135/2026 registered at Police Station Safakadal, while police have traced the backward linkages of the network up to Chandigarh, Panchkula and Ambala.
He said the investigation has established that the case was not an isolated instance of drug peddling, but involved an organised supply system through which banned pharmaceutical drugs were brought into Srinagar, stored and subsequently distributed.
“Source to destination, supply to distributor and the financial trail—we will identify the entire ecosystem,” the SSP said, adding that the investigation would continue to establish the role of every person involved in the network.
According to Srinagar Police, the investigation has so far resulted in the seizure of 2,19,425 tablets/capsules of pharmaceutical drugs, around 3.830 kg of codeine, approximately 40 grams of a heroin-like substance, and ₹85.75 lakh in cash.
Police also recovered 108 gold coins, gold biscuits and other gold articles valued at approximately ₹1.52 crore, besides two Rolex watches, a Christian Dior ladies’ bag, a DSLR camera with lens and an iPhone 16 Pro Max.
A .32-mm pistol with two empty magazines and a dagger were also seized, while two vehicles have been proceeded against under law.
The SSP said the financial ecosystem linked to the alleged drug trade was also being investigated. Two bank lockers maintained in the name of accused Mohammad Waseem Zargar at Axis Bank, Bemina, were searched following requisite court orders.
The locker searches resulted in the recovery of around ₹65 lakh in cash, besides gold coins, biscuits and other gold articles, with the total approximate value of the locker recovery assessed at ₹2.20 crore, police said.
Multiple bank accounts connected with the accused and other persons under investigation have also been identified and frozen/seized in accordance with law, with around ₹1.07 crore so far identified and frozen, according to police.
Dr Sundeep said the investigation teams followed the backward linkages of the narcotics supply chain and reached Chandigarh, Panchkula and Ambala, where pharmaceutical establishments and transport agencies were examined.
Relevant invoices, bills, Goods Receipts and other documents were obtained, while discrepancies relating to drug licences, purchaser particulars, invoices, payment details and the functioning of certain establishments are being examined in coordination with concerned regulatory authorities.
The SSP said the investigation was now also focusing on the forward linkages of the network to establish how the drugs were stored in Srinagar, distributed and delivered to beneficiaries.
He said digital devices recovered during the investigation were being analysed to establish the complete procurement, transportation, distribution and financial chain.
Two persons identified during the investigation—Falzan Firdous alias Farzan Pujj of Malik Sahab, Safakadal, and Mohammad Shahvar Gaur—are presently absconding, while efforts are underway to apprehend them, police said.
One of the arrested accused, Haris Hameed Malla, was traced through technical surveillance and apprehended by Srinagar Police from Bengaluru, Karnataka.
On the broader linkages of the network, the SSP said the investigation was continuing into different layers and that police would proceed further on the basis of evidence emerging during interrogation and digital and financial analysis.
He said Srinagar Police would adopt a “zero-tolerance” approach towards drug peddlers, smugglers and those financing or facilitating the narcotics trade.
“We will not leave anybody involved in this ecosystem,” the SSP said, adding that further arrests, recoveries and attachment of properties would follow as the investigation progresses.
Srinagar Police said the investigation remains active and evidence-driven, with further legal action expected on the basis of evidence emerging during the probe. (JKNS)