*Anantnag Police Destroys Illegal Opium Poppy Cultivation at Utrasoo and Achabal; Two NDPS Cases Registered*
Anantnag, 06 May 2026:
Continuing its sustained crackdown against narcotics cultivation and trafficking, Anantnag Police carried out successful operations in the areas of Utrasoo and Achabal, leading to the destruction of illegally cultivated opium poppy plants and registration of cases under the NDPS Act.
In the first operation, Police Station Utrasoo along with the Executive Magistrate conducted an operation at village Raipora, Utrasoo, where illegal opium poppy cultivation was found on land belonging to Fatima Begum, widow of Ghulam Hassan Wani, resident of Raipora. The illicit crop was destroyed on the spot in the presence of the magistrate. In this regard, FIR No. 45/2026 under Section 8/18 NDPS Act has been registered and investigation is in progress.
In another operation, Police Station Achabal acted upon information received from the Beat Officer Akingam regarding illegal cultivation of opium poppy by Ghulam Hassan Lone S/o Ghulam Mohammad Lone R/o Badoora. Acting promptly on the information, FIR No. 33/2026 under Section 8/18 NDPS Act was registered at Police Station Achabal. During investigation, the Investigating Officer, accompanied by the Executive Magistrate and officials of the Agriculture Department, visited the spot and found opium poppy plants illegally cultivated on land measuring approximately one marla. The entire illicit cultivation was destroyed on the spot as per legal procedure.
Anantnag Police remains committed to eliminating the narcotics ecosystem from the district and urges the public to share information regarding drug trafficking or illegal cultivation for a safer and drug-free society.
