In a significant breakthrough in the ongoing battle against narco-terrorism, Jammu and Kashmir Police have arrested a teenager who was using a high-tech drone to facilitate drug trafficking in the Srinagar area. This innovative method marks a disturbing evolution in the tactics employed by drug peddlers in the Kashmir Valley.

The arrest took place in the downtown locality of Safakadal, Srinagar, where police apprehended the young technocrat along with his drone and a substantial cache of narcotics. Authorities revealed that the teenager had been utilizing the drone not only to surveil the area but also to monitor the movements of potential buyers, ensuring they were not accompanied by law enforcement.

Showkat Ahmad Dar, Superintendent of Police for North Srinagar, stated, “This is the first time we have recovered a drone from a drug peddler in Kashmir. It’s a big success for us.” He further explained that the teenager would direct buyers to a remote location, often making them walk over a kilometer to avoid detection.

The police had been monitoring the suspect following intelligence reports about his involvement in drug trafficking. In addition to the primary accused, two other young accomplices from Athwajan and Safa Kadal have also been arrested, all of whom face charges under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (NDPS).

Investigations have revealed connections to individuals outside Jammu and Kashmir, with payment transactions traced via UPI to locations beyond the valley. The police recovered around 150 bottles of codeine during the operation, along with the drone and several mobile phones.

SP Dar emphasized the dual approach of their operations: “For abusers, treatment is essential, but we are intensifying our surveillance on peddlers. We are committed to making arrests wherever we recover drugs, as demonstrated in this case.”

The Jammu and Kashmir Police’s relentless efforts against narco-terrorism come as alarming statistics show that over 600,000 individuals in the Union Territory are grappling with drug addiction. The recent arrests underscore a growing concern about the intersection of technology and drug trafficking, prompting law enforcement to adapt their strategies in this ongoing fight.

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