Srinagar, September 26: Srinagar Police have arrested eight people and seized a large quantity of narcotics, cash, gold and a pistol while allegedly dismantling an organised drug-supply network operating in the city, officials said.
SSP Srinagar Dr G.V. Sundeep Chakravarthy said the investigation had uncovered what police described as a well-structured supply chain, with the accused allegedly performing different roles in the network.
“There was an organised network in downtown and it was a well-organised supply chain,” the SSP said.
During the investigation, police recovered 3.830 kilograms of codeine, around 40 grams of heroin, 414 tramadol tablets/capsules, around 2,18,500 tapentadol tablets and 1,200 pregabalin capsules, he said.
A pistol was also recovered, along with approximately ₹85.76 lakh in cash, the SSP said.
Police further seized 108 gold coins and around 17 grams of MMTC-PAMP/jewellery, with their combined approximate value estimated at ₹1,05,29,400.
Addressing a press conference in Srinagar, Chakravarthy said the case was registered as FIR No. 135/2026 under Sections 8/21/22/29/25/27A of the NDPS Act, Sections 3/4/25 of the Arms Act and Section 111 of the BNS at Police Station Safakadal.
The arrested accused have been identified as Mohammad Waseem Zargar of Patlipora, Chattabal; Haris Hameed Malla of Guzarbal, Chattabal; Aqib Saleem Dar of Rampora, Chattabal; Inam Ahmad Zargar of Haftiyar, Safa Kadal; Sahib Ahmad Ganaie of Danamazar, Safa Kadal; Ansar Hussain Bhat of Zabar Mohalla, Budgam; Peer Shakoor of Palpora, Noorbagh; and Haroon Pandit of Guzarbal, Chattabal.
Police said Mazah Firdous Khanday, Farzan Pallwala and Mohammad Sharvar of Muzaffar Nagar, Uttar Pradesh, are currently absconding.
The investigation has also led police outside Jammu and Kashmir, with teams reaching Chandigarh and Punjab to trace the wider supply chain. The Punjab Police and Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) have also assisted in the probe.
“We reached up to Chandigarh. Punjab Police and the NCB also supported us,” Chakravarthy said.
Police said they are examining the transport agencies allegedly used to move the drugs and are working to identify the network’s forward links, distributors and beneficiaries.
The SSP said the investigation was not limited to making arrests and seizing contraband but was focused on tracing and dismantling the wider network.
“Along with arrests and recoveries, Srinagar Police’s target is to dismantle the entire narcotics model,” he said.
As part of the financial investigation, police said around ₹1.07 crore held in multiple bank accounts had been frozen. A residential house belonging to Mohammad Waseem Zargar was also attached, along with two vehicles—a Maruti Brezza (JK01AK-7523) and a Suzuki Ertiga (JK01AX-4601).
The SSP said further arrests and recoveries could follow as the investigation progresses.
