J&K: Samba Police Demolish Narco Palaces Worth Rs 60 Crore, 33 Structures Razed

In a significant crackdown on drug trafficking, the Samba district administration and police in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) conducted a major demolition drive on Sunday, May 17, 2026, targeting illegal structures, including so-called 'narco palaces,' built by drug offenders. The operation was carried out at Balole Khad in Bari Brahmana, an area identified by authorities as a notorious drug hotspot. During the drive, 33 illegal structures were razed, and approximately 50 kanals (around 6.25 acres) of encroached government-owned industrial land, valued at an estimated Rs 60 crore, was successfully retrieved. The demolition drive was a joint effort, led by Samba Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Anuj Kumar along with officials from the civil administration. The authorities stated that these illegally constructed structures were being utilized by drug peddlers for the storage, concealment, and supply of narcotics, particularly heroin, effectively serving as safe havens for habitual offenders involved in drug trafficking. Specific individuals identified as prominent drug peddlers whose properties were targeted include Mohammad Baru, who faces 10 First Information Reports (FIRs) including Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act cases and is currently absconding under a Public Safety Act (PSA) warrant. His wife, Bahua Bibi, is named in three FIRs, and another peddler, Manshu, is involved in seven FIRs. Several other criminal elements and drug suppliers were also reported to be operating from this area. This concerted action is an integral part of the broader 'Nasha Mukt Jammu and Kashmir Abhiyan' (Drug-Free Jammu and Kashmir Campaign), an intensified anti-narcotics initiative spearheaded by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha. The campaign, launched on April 11, 2026, aims to eradicate the growing drug menace and dismantle the entire drug ecosystem in the Union Territory. The police and civil administration have adopted a zero-tolerance policy against drug peddling, vowing to deal strictly with all individuals involved in the narcotics trade to safeguard the future of the younger generation. The wider anti-drug campaign across J&K has seen significant enforcement actions. Between April 11 and May 13, 2026, J&K Police arrested 806 persons in 724 cases registered under the NDPS Act. During this period, 97 properties worth Rs 41.85 crore linked to the narcotics trade were identified and attached, while 41 properties valued at nearly Rs 15 crore, identified as proceeds of drug trafficking, were demolished after completing legal formalities. Additionally, illegal cultivation of poppy and cannabis spread over 117 kanals of land was destroyed. These figures highlight the extensive nature of the crackdown beyond just the Samba district. Other demolition drives have also been reported in areas like Anantnag and Baramulla, targeting commercial properties and shops belonging to alleged drug peddlers. The government's aggressive stance against drug trafficking, while widely supported by residents concerned about rising drug addiction, has also sparked a debate regarding the adherence to due process. Some political and religious leaders have raised concerns over what they describe as 'bulldozer justice,' questioning whether all demolitions followed proper legal procedures, including notices and opportunities for appeal. J&K Education and Health Minister Sakina Itoo, for instance, cautioned against demolishing homes over allegations, stressing that such actions could adversely affect innocent families. Legal experts, however, note that authorities possess powers under the NDPS Act to seize or attach properties proven to be acquired through the proceeds of crime. The Supreme Court of India, in a November 2024 ruling, emphasized that no house of an accused can be demolished solely on the basis of allegations without due legal process, mandating a minimum 15-day notice period for occupants and prohibiting collective punishment. The administration, on its part, asserts that these actions are undertaken after due verification of illegal construction on government land or properties linked to criminal proceeds. Following the demolition in Samba, authorities confirmed that boundary fencing of the retrieved land has been completed and floodlights installed to prevent further encroachments. The police reiterated their commitment to continue such anti-narcotics operations to dismantle the entire drug ecosystem and prevent any area from becoming a hub for heroin supply and other criminal activities, aiming to protect youth from drug abuse and maintain public peace.

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