Inter-state drug smugglers arrested in Jammu, 10 kg cannabis recovered

In a significant intelligence‑led narcotics operation , the Anti‑Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) on Wednesday intercepted a cab on the Jammu‑Srinagar National Highway near IIM Nagrota and arrested four inter‑state drug smugglers, seizing about 10 kg of high‑grade cannabis (charas) valued at over Rs 30 lakh in the international market, officials said. The vehicle was stopped following specific inputs about a drug consignment’s movement, and a thorough search uncovered the contraband, which the suspects were transporting covertly before being taken into custody.

The arrested have been identified as Amar Chand, a resident of Ramban district; Sachin Verma and Vijay Verma, both from Gonda district in Uttar Pradesh; and Aakash Ramsuhel Verma of Surat in Gujarat, indicating a network that spans several states. Preliminary investigation suggests the consignment was sourced from Ramban and likely destined for distribution in Mumbai , the officials said.

The accused have been booked under relevant sections of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act in FIR No. 03/2026 registered at the Anti‑Narcotics Task Force police station in Jammu, and detailed forensic analysis of the recovered cannabis is underway as part of the evidence process. Authorities said the operation was carried out under the supervision of SSP ANTF Jammu Anwar‑ul‑Haq and DySP Ravinder Singh Rakwal.

Officials are probing whether the seized cannabis was to be handed over to broader narcotics networks and are working to identify forward and backward linkages , including handlers, transport routes and distribution points beyond Jammu and Kashmir. They noted that this arrest comes amid a wider nationwide crackdown on drug trafficking , with multiple states reporting large seizures and arrests in recent weeks that highlight the scale of the narcotics challenge.