Srinagar Police have reportedly uncovered a sophisticated inter-state narcotics network, with a key accused allegedly leveraging a purported journalistic identity to forge connections and create an image of influence. The individual, identified as Haris Hameed Malla, a resident of Srinagar, is believed by authorities to be a central figure in the operation, which is allegedly headed by Waseem Ahmad Zargar. This network is accused of involvement in the procurement, transportation, storage, distribution, and financing of banned pharmaceutical drugs, with its reach extending beyond the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
Information reaching Tahir Rihat suggests that Malla, in his alleged role within the drug network, utilized his association with journalism to establish contacts and frequently boasted of having access to influential figures within the system. His social media profiles presented him as the Editor-in-Chief of a publication named ‘Indian News Panel,’ and he also identified himself as a public speaker, social activist, and a ‘community journalist’ based in Jammu and Kashmir. These profiles featured photographs of Malla with prominent political leaders, including Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari, Union Minister and Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) chief Chirag Paswan, and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge. Additionally, his accounts displayed images with several police officers in the Kashmir Valley, and a video from the previous year showed him accompanying a senior officer during a visit to an area in Srinagar’s old city.
Sources have indicated that Malla’s strategy involved using his professional persona to build relationships and obtain photographs with politicians and government officials. These sources further alleged that officials eventually ceased interacting with him once they became aware of his alleged involvement in illegal activities. The primary objective behind Malla’s dissemination of these photographs, according to these sources, was to cultivate an impression of having connections with powerful individuals. The extent of his alleged deception was further highlighted by a post on X, formerly Twitter, where Malla shared a letter purportedly from J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha. This letter, addressed to the ‘Editor in Chief’ of ‘Indian News Panel,’ solicited engagement in disseminating information about the dangers of substance abuse, available treatment services, and the critical importance of early intervention in combating drug addiction. The letter emphasized the collective promise of a drug-free Jammu & Kashmir for the well-being of children, families, and the Union Territory.
Following alleged intelligence regarding police efforts to apprehend him, Malla reportedly fled the Valley. Srinagar Police, through technical surveillance, were able to trace his whereabouts to Bengaluru, Karnataka, where he was subsequently apprehended. The police operation that led to these arrests resulted in a significant seizure of illicit items. Recovered assets included Rs 85.75 lakh in cash, over two lakh pharmaceutical drug tablets and capsules, approximately 40 grams of a substance resembling heroin, 108 gold coins, gold biscuits, and other gold ornaments and articles valued in crores of rupees. A pistol was also among the items confiscated. Authorities have stated that two other individuals accused in connection with this case remain at large.
The allegations against the accused are currently part of an ongoing police investigation, and the claims made by the authorities have not yet been established in a court of law. The unearthing of this network raises concerns about the methods employed by individuals involved in drug trafficking to gain credibility and access to influential circles. The use of a journalistic facade, if proven, highlights a concerning tactic that could potentially undermine public trust in media professionals and exploit legitimate platforms for illicit purposes. The recovery of substantial cash, drugs, and gold indicates the significant financial scale of the alleged operation and its potential impact on the region’s drug landscape. The involvement of an inter-state network suggests a complex logistical and distribution chain that police are working to dismantle. The ongoing investigation aims to identify all individuals involved, trace the origins of the procured substances, and understand the full extent of the network’s operations and its financial beneficiaries. The authorities’ efforts to combat drug abuse in Jammu and Kashmir are underscored by such operations, which seek to disrupt the supply chain and apprehend those responsible for distributing harmful substances.
The case also brings to light the challenges faced by law enforcement agencies in identifying and apprehending individuals who operate under the guise of legitimate professions. The ability of the accused to allegedly procure photographs with high-profile figures suggests a deliberate effort to build a network of perceived influence, which could have been used to facilitate their illegal activities or to evade scrutiny. The police’s successful tracing of Malla to Bengaluru demonstrates the effectiveness of technical surveillance in apprehending fugitives. The recovery of a firearm alongside the drugs and gold further points to the potential for violence and organized crime associated with such networks. The investigation is expected to delve deeper into the financial aspects of the operation, including the source of the cash and the disposal of the gold, which could reveal further links to other criminal activities or individuals. The commitment to a drug-free Jammu and Kashmir, as alluded to in the Lieutenant Governor’s purported letter, remains a key objective for the administration, with such investigations forming a crucial part of that strategy. The police’s continued efforts to apprehend the absconding accused are vital to a comprehensive resolution of the case and the dismantling of the entire network.
Tahir Rihat (also known as Tahir Bilal) is an independent journalist, activist, and digital media professional from the Chenab Valley of Jammu and Kashmir, India. He is best known for his work as the Online Editor at The Chenab Times.