In a major crackdown on organised drug trafficking, Srinagar Police, during the investigation of FIR No. 135/2026 registered at Police Station Safakadal, has unearthed a structured narcotics network involved in the procurement, transportation, storage, distribution and financing of banned pharmaceutical drugs, with linkages extending beyond the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
Srinagar Police have arrested eight persons in connection with the case while the investigation is continuing.
According to police, the arrested persons have been identified as:
Mohammad Waseem Zargar, a resident of Malik Sahib, Safakadal, Srinagar.
Inam Ahmad Zargar, a resident of Haftiyarbal, Safakadal, Srinagar.
Sahib Ahmad Ganie, a resident of Danamazar, Safakadal, Srinagar.
Ansar Hussain Bhat, a resident of Zabar Mohallah, Budgam.
Peer Shakoor, a resident of Soura and currently residing at Palpora, Noorbagh, Srinagar.
Haroon Tariq Pandit, a resident of Guzerbal, Chattabal, Srinagar.
Aquib Saleem, a resident of Guzerbal, Chattabal, Srinagar.
Haris Hameed Malla, a resident of Guzerbal, Chattabal, Srinagar.
One of the accused, Haris Hameed Malla, was traced through technical surveillance and apprehended by Srinagar Police in Bengaluru, Karnataka. The investigation into the individual roles and linkages of the accused is continuing.
Recoveries from arrested persons
According to police, the investigation has so far led to the recovery and seizure of:
2,19,425 pharmaceutical drug tablets/capsules.
3.830 kg of codeine-containing liquid, including the container.
Approximately 40 grams of a heroin-like substance.
Approximately ₹85.75 lakh in cash.
108 gold coins, gold biscuits and other gold ornaments/articles worth crores of rupees.
Two Rolex watches.
One Dior ladies' bag.
One DSLR camera with lens.
One iPhone 16 Pro Max.
One .32-calibre pistol with two empty magazines.
One dagger.
Two vehicles, which have been attached in accordance with law.
As part of the financial investigation, two bank lockers maintained in the name of accused Mohammad Waseem Zargar at Axis Bank, Bemina, were searched pursuant to requisite court orders.
The searches resulted in the recovery of approximately ₹65 lakh in cash, besides gold coins, biscuits and other gold articles. The approximate value of the recoveries from the lockers has been assessed at around ₹2.20 crore.
Further, multiple bank accounts connected with the accused and other persons under investigation have been identified and frozen/seized in accordance with law. Approximately ₹1.07 crore has so far been identified and frozen.
One residential house and two vehicles have been attached under the provisions of the NDPS Act.
The source of funds, transaction trail and associated financial linkages are under detailed examination.
Inter-state supply chain unearthed
The backward investigation into the source of the pharmaceutical drugs led Srinagar Police teams to Chandigarh, Panchkula and Ambala.
Pharmaceutical establishments and transport agencies were examined, and relevant invoices, bills, goods receipts and other documents were obtained.
Discrepancies relating to drug licences, purchaser particulars, invoices, payment details and the functioning of certain establishments are being investigated in coordination with the concerned regulatory authorities.
According to police, Faizan Firdous, alias Farzan Khanday, of Safakadal, is presently absconding, and efforts are underway to apprehend him.
Mohammad Shahvar Gaur, who was identified during the investigation in connection with the pharmaceutical supply chain, is also presently absconding. The precise roles and further linkages of both individuals are being investigated.
Digital devices recovered during the investigation are being analysed to establish the complete procurement, transportation, distribution and financial chain.
The investigation remains active and evidence-driven. Further arrests, recoveries, freezing or attachment of assets and other legal action may follow on the basis of evidence emerging during the investigation.
Srinagar Police reiterated its zero-tolerance approach towards drug trafficking and said it remains committed to identifying and dismantling the entire ecosystem of suppliers, transporters, distributors, financiers and other facilitators involved in the illicit drug trade.
