Major narco-terror bid thwarted, 30kg cocaine worth Rs 300 crore seized in JK's Ramban ops

Ramban Police intercepted a major narco-terrorism attempt, seizing 30 kilograms of high-grade cocaine with distinctive Afghan markings worth exceeding 300 crore on October 1. The operation unfolded in the Banihal area of Ramban district, Jammu, where two Punjab-based narcotics smugglers were apprehended.

The contraband was discovered concealed within an Innova car en route from Kashmir to Punjab, a key transit route for illicit substances, as sources informed. According to an Additional Director General, a case under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act and other sections has been registered at Banihal and police stations. The ADG added that an investigation is underway.

According to the official, two Punjab residents were nabbed after one of the largest drug hauls this year was recovered from the Banihal area along the Jammu-Srinagar national highway.

Republic was apprised that now the authorities are investigating potential ties to Pakistan-based terror networks, hinting at a wider nexus. Multi-location raids are underway, led by Jammu and Kashmir Police, to unearth both forward and backward linkages. The international market value of the seized drugs, as stated earlier, is estimated to exceed 300 crores, and thus underlines the scale of this thwarted operation.

Earlier, the recovered narcotics was believed to be heroin but after investigation, it turned out to be cocaine, as per a PTI report.

“This operation was developed on intelligence generated by SSP Ramban and her team who have been continuously waging war against drug smugglers and peddlers,” the ADGP said.

He said a large number of notorious peddlers and smugglers have already been booked by the team of Ramban police.

“A total of 104 cases (under NDPS Act) have been registered in 2022 while 36 such cases were registered in 2023 till date following the recovery of 2,500 kg poppy straw, 10 kg charas, 200 grams heroin and 200 tablets,” Singh said, adding 158 accused have been arrested so far.

Banihal Station House Officer Mohd Afzal Wani identified the arrested smugglers as Sarabjeet Singh of Jhalandhar and Honey Basra of Phagwara in Punjab.

While three kilograms of the narcotic was found hidden on the top of the vehicle, 27 kgs were recovered from their luggage, he said. Wani said the smugglers tried to escape when signalled to stop and were chased and subsequently arrested. The officials said the high-grade cocaine was smuggled from across the border and taken from north Kashmir to Punjab.