‘Drug money goes back to Pak to fund terrorism’

Cash also sent across LoC by drones, says J&K DGP Dilbag

Jammu, March 5: Money generated from the narcotics trade is returned to Pakistan and subsequently used to fund terror activities in Jammu and Kashmir, director-general of police Dilbag Singh on Sunday.

Mr Singh’s comment comes close on the heels of a large stockpile of drugs, cash and weapons being recovered near the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir’s Poonch.

“We are faced with a new challenge where the drugs and weapons are smuggled from Pakistan together. While the weapons are delivered to the terrorists, the major part of the drug proceeds are returned to handlers (across the border) and the rest shared by the peddlers.

“The proceeds (from the drugs trade) are being utilised to keep terrorism alive (in J&K),” the police chief told reporters on the sidelines of the Jammu Marathon.

The “Run for Fun” Jammu Marathon was organised by the police as part of its civic action programme and drew hundreds of participants from all walks of life at Gulshan Ground.

Responding to a question on the seizure of seven kilogramme of heroin, over `2.30 crore in cash and some arms and ammunition from the home of a notorious drug peddler in Mandi sector on March 3, Mr Singh said a dozen major peddling rackets had been busted in the recent past.

“The probes unearthed interstate connections of drug trafficking, especially connected to Punjab, and raids were conducted. We are also roping in the Narcotics Control Bureau and, like in the past, investigated various cases together.

“In this (Poonch) case, the entire module involved in the drug trafficking will be unveiled and stern action taken against those found involved,” he said.

This was the second time such a huge recovery of cash was made near the Line of Control following the earlier seizure of `1.50 crore in Poonch.

“The money generated from the drugs trade is returned to handlers in Pakistan who use the cash to fund terror activities. Some cash is handed over to infiltrating terrorists. Money is also sent to this side by drones,” he said.