The arrest of a woman drug peddler in Rajouri District has once again brought to light the ever changing tactics of narcotics smugglers in Jammu and Kashmir. Going by the fact that drug mafia is constantly relying on new strategies to smuggle and distribute drugs in the region it has become imperative that the law enforcement agencies should broaden their scope to combat the menace more effectively.
The situation with regard to drugs has deteriorated uncontrollably because from the UT’s Assembly to small households, helmsmen, policemen, and common men are all discussing this issue invariably as this scourge has lately gripped the entire Union Territory, painting a very grim picture as easy availability of drugs in every nook and corner has ruined families with younger ones falling prey to drug peddlers more often.
The new modus operandi by those running the big drug cartels in J&K involving women, children, and even elderly individuals in drug smuggling rings underscores the need for a more comprehensive and inclusive approach to security checks. While the idea of frisking vulnerable groups may raise concerns, it is crucial to acknowledge that drug cartels are willing to exploit anyone regardless of age or gender to evade detection.
Reportedly, after the arrest of a woman drug peddler in Rajouri, to the surprise of many, the police had recovered 17 grams of heroin, 138 grams of narcotic powder-like substance, 121 psychotropic banned tablets, six digital weighing machines, and three rolls of foil paper from her possession clearly indicating her active involvement in drug-trafficking and distribution in the region.
Though this is a peculiar case but a stronger one to make the law enforcement agencies to revisit their strategy in fighting drug menace as criminals can convince women, children and aged population to act as their conduits for drug smuggling either by luring them through money or by some other compulsion.
Therefore the law implementing agencies should make it a point that during the checking no one should be allowed to move away without proper frisking as the situation with regard to drugs is crucial in J&K and any complacency could further dent the public cause of containing this menace.
The battle against drug smuggling in Jammu and Kashmir is far from over. The need of the hour is a more vigilant, comprehensive, and adaptive approach that leaves no loophole for smugglers to exploit. Law enforcement agencies must rise to the challenge to protect the Union Territory’s youth and secure a drug-free future for the generations to come.
