Ladakh: Police detain man with 3.5 grams of suspected heroin at Leh airport

The Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) of Ladakh seized 3.5 grams of a suspected heroin-like substance from a man at Kushok Bakula Rinpoche Airport in Leh, officials said on Friday.

The accused, identified as Mohd Hussain, a resident of Diskit in Nubra Valley, was intercepted at the airport following specific intelligence inputs that narcotics were being transported through unsuspecting air passengers, they said.

An FIR has been registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. The investigation is underway to trace the source of the seized substance and identify its intended recipients, officials added.

The Director General of Police (DGP), Ladakh, urged people not to accept or carry parcels, bags or packages from strangers, warning that drug traffickers could use unsuspecting travellers as couriers.

Officials cautioned that people found carrying narcotics could face legal consequences, even if they claim to be unaware of the contents of the packages.

Earlier arrest

The latest seizure comes amid a series of anti-drug operations in Ladakh. On October 19, Leh Police arrested a 21-year-old man after recovering 21.02 grams of heroin from his carry bag at the airport.

The accused, identified as Jigmet Chosgyal, a resident of Chumathang who was staying at Police Colony in Choglamsar, was intercepted on arrival from Delhi following specific intelligence inputs, police said.

The heroin, locally known as 'chitta,' was concealed in his personal carry bag. A case was registered at Leh Police Station under Sections 8 and 21 of the NDPS Act, and he was taken into custody.

Preliminary interrogation indicated that the contraband had allegedly been procured from Nayagaon in Punjab, according to the Station House Officer of Leh Police Station. Further investigation is underway to establish possible links to a wider drug network.

Earlier, on October 12, police seized 81 grams and 30 grams of a charas-like substance in two separate cases.

In a post on X, the DGP said, "District Police Drass recovered 81 grams of a charas-like substance from a rented room at Drass Market. FIR No. 54/2026 under Sections 8/20 of the NDPS Act has been registered at PS Drass, and further investigation is underway."

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