DC Srinagar exhorts Courier Service Agencies to remain vigilant to prevent shipping of Psychotropic substances

Raids conducted at multiple locations by Teams of Drug Control Organisation related to suspicious consignments

Unregistered Courier Agencies will not be allowed to operate: DC Srinagar

SRINAGAR, December 30: In order to seek cooperation of Courier Services to curb the menace of Psychotropic substances a District Level Committee of Narco Coordination Centre (NCORD) was held today under the Chairmanship of the Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Mohammad Aijaz Asad here at Meeting Hall of the DC Office Complex.

Additional Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar, Dr Syed Haneef Balkhi, Deputy Drug Controller, Shah Nighat, SDM East, Murtaza Ahmad, SDM West, Primroze Bashir, Assistant Labour Commissioner, Arshid Qadir, Tehsildar Headquarter, Imtiyaz Amin Naik, besides representatives of various Courier Services providers operating in Srinagar were present in the meeting.

At the outset, the Deputy Commissioner took a first hand appraisal of the mode of operation of courier service agencies operating in Srinagar District and their SOPs for delivery of shipments.

The DC was appraised by Deputy Drug Controller, Kashmir, Shah Night that recently various instances have been brought into the notice of their Department with regard to trafficking of psychotropic substances through various Courier agencies for delivery to different parts of the Kashmir Division. She also mentioned that in the recent past on receiving credible inputs various raids have been conducted during which huge quantities of psychotropic and narcotic substances were seized. She said that in the month of October, during a surprise raid at Airport cargo logistic space of the Srinagar Airport about 7500 capsules of Spasmo-proxyvon were seized.

The DC said that it is the shared responsibility of one and all to contribute in eradication of drug menace from the society. He asked the courier service operators to keep proper vigil on every consignment and scan each suspicious parcel and also ask for the identity of the sender along with proof, besides taking precaution of using fake addresses. Specifically while delivering the Medical Drugs to individuals proper address verification of recipients must be made before handing over the consignment.

The DC also impressed upon to maintain the records of all the deliverables and consignments properly as per the prescribed norms regarding consignment booking, delivery, identification proof of sender/receiver along with all particulars.

On the occasion, the Deputy Commissioner also discussed the issue with Director Airport Authority, Srinagar and emphasized to further intensifying the surveillance mechanism at Srinagar Airport.

The DC also asked the Deputy Drug Controller to deploy expert officials from the Drug Control Department at Srinagar Airport to further strengthen surveillance mechanisms and contain the any efforts by the illegally operating syndicates in delivery of psychotropic substances.

The DC also asked the ALC, Srinagar to conduct a survey regarding unauthorized/unregistered Courier Service providers operating in Srinagar District so that they are registered to continue their business under law.

On the occasion, the DC stressed upon the Officers of all the line Departments including Enforcement agencies to ensure better coordination in enforcing greater deterrence to combat dangerous trade of drug-trafficking. He said that efforts with Cooperation, Coordination and Collaboration are vital to contain the drug peddling and break the supply chain, besides taking stringent action against the culprits involved in the hazardous trade of drugs.

Meanwhile, upon some inputs sleuths of the Drugs Control Department on the directions of Deputy Commissioner Srinagar under supervision Deputy Drugs Controller Kashmir today raided multiple locations relating to suspicious consignments of Psychotropic substances in the District and investigation is still going on when last reports  poured in.