Awantipora, Feb 25 (KNS): The Jammu and Kashmir police Thursday said that they have arrested 3 drug smugglers and recovered around 400 kg poppy straw from their possession in  Awantipora area of Pulwama district. 

In a statement issued to news agency KNS, spokesperson said that during naka checking at Beighpora Crossing, police party of Police Post Reshipora headed by Chowki Officer SI Ali Mohammad signaled one vehicle dumper to stop but instead of stopping the vehicle fled away. "Police Party chased the dumper and stopped it at some distance from naka check point."

He said that during thorough search of the dumper vehicle, 400 Kgs of poppy straw was recovered, which was concealed in 20 large bags kept inside the space specially created in the body of the dumper.

"The camouflaged space created for the transport of consignment was difficult to find out until checked thoroughly by the Police Party."  

He identified as the drug smugglers as Mohammad Mushtaq son of Mohammad Ismaeel, Mustafa son of Abdul Lateef-both residents of Punjab and Umer Farooq Wani son of Farooq Ahmad Wani, a resident of Pulwama.

The spokesperson said that the vehicle bearing registration number JK19 -1210 used in the commission of the crime has also been seized and a case FIR Number 27/2021 under relevant sections of NDPS stands registered at Police Station Awantipora.

"Upon preliminary investigation the consignment was being carried out of UT Jammu and Kashmir," he said. (KNS)