Jammu and Kashmir has ramped up its efforts to combat drug abuse and trafficking, with authorities reporting significant progress over the past 18 months.According to an official document, since 2023, J&K Police registered 3190 cases related to the illegal narcotics trade, resulting in 4536 arrests.Our approach is uncompromising. We are targeting the entire supply chain, from street-level dealers to major traffickers,” said a senior official. Drug seizures have been particularly impressive.In 2023, law enforcement conducted 319 commercial quantity seizures, followed by 110 more in the first half of 2024.
In 2023 alone, 29,306 kg of drugs and 74,179 pharmaceuticals were destroyed.
The first half of 2024 saw the destruction of an additional 4365 kg of drugs and 26,772 pharmaceuticals.
Law enforcement agencies also took decisive action against illegal cultivation.
In 2023, poppy and cannabis crops were destroyed over 9448 kanal of land (approximately 1181 acres).
“We are not just focusing on distribution networks by targeting illegal cultivation. We are striking at the very root of the problem,” said an official of the Excise Department.
The Excise Department and district authorities are actively monitoring land use to prevent contraband cultivation, utilising satellite imagery, and ground-level intelligence.
The J&K government’s approach is multi-faceted, encompassing prevention, enforcement, treatment, rehabilitation, and awareness.
The Narco-Coordination Centre (NCORD), chaired by the Chief Secretary, oversees these efforts.
At the district level, 193 NCORD meetings were held in 2023 to improve inter-agency coordination.
