A notorious drug peddler was today arrested from Kulgam district of South Kashmir and a large quantity of poppy straw was seized from his possession, police said.
Nazir Ahmad Dar, a resident of Churat, was arrested on a specific information from Kulgam, 70 kms from here, and has been booked under the Public Safety Act (PSA), a police spokesman said.
Dar was a notorious drug peddler and was involved in spreading the menace in Kulgam district.
Dar is seventh drug peddler booked under PSA in the past two months, he said.
Meanwhile, Excise department today destroyed poppy cultivation spread over 6.15 hectares in Pulwama and Budgam districts of the valley.
"The Excise Department team destroyed four hectares of illicit opium poppy crop in Zaigam village in Pulwama and 2.15 hectares in villages of Wadipora, Hayatpora and Saria in Chadoora area of Budgam," an official spokesman said.
A total of 102.65 hectares of poppy crop has been destroyed in the valley since the beginning of this year, he said, adding, the drive will continue to make the valley free of poppy cultivation.
