J&K Police Bust Major Drug Racket in Kathua; 430 Grams Heroin-Like Substance Seized, Kingpin Held

||Black and White Digital News||

||Parvinder Singh May 14,2026 ||

Kathua: In a major crackdown under the 100-Day Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan, Jammu and Kashmir Police achieved a significant success in the fight against drug trafficking by recovering approximately 430 grams of heroin-like substance in Billawar area of Kathua district and arresting an alleged key narcotics smuggler with suspected international links.

The operation was carried out by the police team of Police Station Billawar under the overall supervision of Mohita Sharma (IPS ), Senior Superintendent of Police, Kathua.

According to police officials, acting on specific and reliable inputs, a special naka was established at Bhinni Bridge in Billawar on Wednesday. During checking, police intercepted and apprehended one individual identified as Munish Kumar, son of Kala Ram and a resident of Chak Drab Khan, Tehsil and District Kathua.

During his personal search, police recovered approximately 15.23 grams of heroin (chitta)-like substance along with a mobile phone from his possession. Following the seizure, Police Station Billawar registered FIR No. 89/2026 under Sections 8/21/22 of the NDPS Act and initiated investigation.

Police said that during sustained interrogation, the accused disclosed information regarding additional narcotics concealed at his residence. Subsequently, after obtaining a search warrant from the Judicial Magistrate, police conducted a raid at his house in Kathua district.

During the search operation, approximately 415 grams of heroin-like substance was recovered from a locked wardrobe inside the residence, taking the total recovery to nearly 430 grams.

Preliminary investigation has reportedly revealed that the accused was allegedly connected with major narcotics smugglers operating from foreign countries and was receiving consignments routed through Punjab from across the border.

Police officials stated that further investigation and searches are underway to expose the wider narco-smuggling network operating in Kathua district, other states, and possible international connections linked to the case.

The entire operation was led by the SHO Police Station Billawar and SDPO Billawar under the supervision of SP Operations Upper Kathua.

Reiterating its zero-tolerance policy against drug trafficking, Kathua Police appealed to the public to cooperate and share information related to drug peddling and substance abuse to help build a drug-free society.

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