Jammu, 24 May (H.S.): Authorities today demolished three properties worth Rs 4 crores in the Miran Sahib area on the outskirts of Jammu, alleging that the structures had been built using proceeds from the narcotics trade.

The properties belonged to alleged drug dealer and peddler Navjot Singh alias Bablu, a resident of Indira Nagar, Miran Sahib, who according to police is facing 15 FIRs registered under the NDPS Act and other provisions of law.

Officials said the action was carried out as part of the ongoing Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan being jointly implemented by the District Administration and Jammu and Kashmir Police against drug peddlers and traffickers.

Addressing reporters, SDM RS Pura Anuradha Thakur said the land on which the structures were raised had been purchased without any known legal source of income.

She said Bablu was merely an allottee and had no ownership rights over the land.

The SDM RS Pura further stated that the demolition was conducted carefully to avoid damage to a nearby house where the accused’s parents were residing.

SP Headquarters Anna Sinha said authorities had launched a drive under Section 68(E) of the NDPS Act to identify properties allegedly created using money earned through narcotics trafficking.

After scrutiny of land records, she said the administration identified Bablu’s properties and initiated demolition proceedings.

The operation was carried out in the presence of senior civil and police officers, including SDPO RS Pura and SHOs of Miran Sahib, RS Pura, Bishnah, and Arnia Police Stations.

Meanwhile, during the operation, the demolition drive was briefly halted to remove two tabletop National Flags from one of the buildings being razed.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Krishan Kumar