Nealy 300 kg of poppy straw recovered in Kashmir's Kulgam district, two arrested

Two alleged drug peddlers were arrested today after three quintals of poppy straw was found in their possession in Kashmir's Kulgam district, a police official said.

Acting on a tip-off, police intercepted a vehicle at a checkpoint in the Upper Bazar Qazigund area and recovered nearly 300 kgs of poppy straw from it, the official said.

Two people Altaf Ahmad Hajam, resident of Arwani Hassanpora of Bijbehara area of Anantnag district, and Shakeel Ahmad Sheikh, resident of Sangam Panjpora, were arrested and the vehicle was seized, the official said.

A case was registered and further investigations are underway, he added.

Poppy straw is the source of opium, which is used as an analgesic and narcotic medicinal and recreational drug.