Anantnag, Nov 1 (HS): Anantnag Police registered 525 cases under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and arrested 602 drug peddlers during the first ten months of 2026, according to a police statement.

Giving a breakdown of the district’s anti-drug campaign, the statement said more than 597 kg of contraband was seized in multiple operations across the district and cash amounting to ₹27.64 lakh was recovered from peddlers. Police also destroyed 2,000 kg of narcotic substances after due legal process, it said.

On the financial side, properties worth around ₹63 crore were attached in 43 cases under relevant provisions of law. Twenty illegal properties worth ₹20 crore, which police said were linked to narcotics proceeds, were demolished.

The statement said illegal narcotic cultivation over 305 marlas of land was destroyed, and over 271 marlas of government land was retrieved from encroachment by drug peddlers.

Female drug peddlers and 13 female cultivators were also arrested during the period. Eight government employees were found involved in drug-related cases, and legal action has been initiated against them, the statement added.

Under preventive measures, 17 drug peddlers were detained under the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (PIT-NDPS) Act. Twenty-eight driving licences and 22 vehicle registration certificates were cancelled in connection with narcotics-related offences. Police also conducted 300 Narco-CASOs (cordon and search operations) across the district to curb the movement and supply of narcotics.

According to the statement, 23 medical shops were inspected jointly with the concerned departments, and 23 violations were detected, with legal action initiated. In addition, 220 investigating officers handling NDPS cases were trained at the District Police Office, Anantnag, on legal procedures and evidence handling.

“Police reiterate their firm commitment to eradicating the drug menace from society,” the statement said, appealing to the public, especially young people, to cooperate in identifying and reporting drug-related activities. “Public support remains vital in this collective fight to safeguard the future of our society.”

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Hindusthan Samachar / Zahoor Hussain Bhat