STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: In a major breakthrough, the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) Jammu Zonal Unit has successfully dismantled a notorious inter-state drug trafficking network operating between Jammu & Kashmir and Punjab.
The operation marks another decisive step in the Government of India’s ongoing efforts to combat drug trafficking and protect the nation’s youth from the menace of narcotics.
Acting on sustained intelligence and surveillance, a team from NCB Jammu, with assistance from Kapurthala Police and NCB Amritsar, arrested the wanted receiver of the network, Lakhwinder Singh, son of Amrik Singh, resident of Bhadas, Kapurthala (Punjab), during a follow-up operation in Crime No. CR-10/2025. A total of 12.878 kg of poppy straw was recovered from his car bearing registration number PB10CQ-9797 on Wednesday. The vehicle and contraband were seized on the spot.
Earlier, on October 2, 2025, NCB Jammu had seized 221.97 kg of poppy straw cleverly concealed in apple boxes loaded on a truck (JK22A-1016) during an operation in which two carriers – Khursheed Ahmad Mir and Mubashir Ahmad from Anantnag-were arrested.
The contraband quantity was more than four times the commercial limit under the NDPS Act. Based on their disclosure, the supplier Abdul Hamid Chopan, son of Abdul Gani Chopan from Malpora, Achabal, Anantnag, was arrested on November 8, 2025.
According to a senior NCB official, “The arrest of Lakhwinder Singh completes the chain of this inter-state trafficking network – from supplier to carrier to receiver. Sustained surveillance and discreet follow-up efforts by our teams ensured that no link of this network escaped the law.”
The official further stated that Lakhwinder Singh is a notorious drug trafficker with six previous NDPS cases registered against him, including a recent FIR (No. 200/2025) at PS Udhampur involving the recovery of 30 kg of poppy straw from the same vehicle.
“Despite being on bail, he continued his illegal activities, which shows his deep involvement in organized drug trafficking,” the official added.
The NCB’s investigation revealed that Lakhwinder Singh had traveled to the Kashmir Valley on November 10, 2025, to procure another consignment of poppy straw. NCB teams tracked his movements and intercepted him on his return, leading to his arrest and the recovery of additional contraband.
“The Jammu Zonal Unit of NCB remains committed to uprooting such inter-state drug trafficking networks with an iron hand,” said the NCB spokesperson.
“This case highlights the increasing trend of traffickers attempting to move narcotics from Kashmir to other states, and the urgent need for sustained coordination between enforcement agencies.”
With the arrests of the supplier, carriers, and receiver, the NCB Jammu has effectively busted the entire trafficking chain, reinforcing its unwavering resolve to safeguard society from the growing threat of narcotics.