Police on Wednesday claimed to have arrested ten drug peddlers and recovered huge quantity of contraband during the last 24 hours indifferent areas in Kashmir valley.

A police official told UNI that four drug peddlers werearrested at various checkpoints on Tuesday in north Kashmir district ofBandipora. “The drug peddlers were identified as Mohammad Shafi Rather,Jahangir Ahmad Rather, Lateef Ahmad Wani and Firdous Ahmad Wani,” he said.

He said 60 kg of poppy straw was recovered from thesepeddlers.

The spokesperson said that two drug peddlers, identified asFarooq Ahmad Rather and Nadeem Ahmad Deeda, were arrested at a checkpoint atGape Naka in world famous ski resort of Gulmarg in north Kashmir district ofBaramulla. “170 grams of charas was recovered from the accused,” he said.

He said three drug peddlers, identified as Muzaffar Ahmad,his wife Shaheena and Mohmmad Amin Dar were arrested by police at a checkpointestablished at Arwani Bridge in south Kashmir district of Anantnag. “6 kgs ofCharas was recovered from the accused,” he added.

In south Kashmir district of Kulgam, a notorious drugpeddler, who was evading his arrest from a long time, was arrested. “The drugpeddler was identified as Khurshid Ahmad Bhat. “As per police records, theaccused is involved in smuggling and peddling of drugs in the area. Severalcases were registered against him including one pertaining to the seizure ofcontraband substances like Brown Sugar 25gms, Poppy Hemp 1 Kg, Fukki Powder500gms,” he said.

He said Community members are requested to come forward withany information regarding drug peddlers in their neighbourhood, adding personsfound indulging in drug peddling will be dealt as per law.