Asif Iqbal Naik
Jammu, October 15:
In a decisive move aimed at curbing the illegal transportation of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances through courier networks, the District Magistrate, Kishtwar, has issued a detailed advisory to all courier service agencies operating within the district. The step comes in the wake of directions from the Home Department of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, following decisions taken during the 14th UT-Level NCORD (National Coordination and Resource Centre for Drug Demand Reduction) meeting chaired by the Chief Secretary.
The advisory has been framed to regulate courier operations and to ensure that courier service networks are not misused by drug traffickers and unscrupulous elements for transporting narcotic and psychotropic substances, including NRX drugs. According to the district administration, certain instances have come to light where courier services were reportedly being exploited for illicit drug movement, posing a grave threat to public health, safety, and law and order.
The District Magistrate, while invoking provisions under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, and the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, emphasized that courier companies must operate within the ambit of the law and maintain the highest level of accountability and transparency in their transactions.
Advisory regarding Misuse of Courier Services in respect of Distt. Kishtwar (1)
Key Directives Issued to Courier Operators
As part of the advisory, the District Magistrate has outlined a series of mandatory measures for strict compliance:
1. Prohibition of Illegal Consignments:
No courier operator or employee shall accept, carry, or deliver any parcel containing narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, or precursor materials in violation of the NDPS Act. Any such involvement will lead to strict legal action under the relevant laws.
2. Verification of Drug-Related Parcels:
Any parcel containing pharmaceutical preparations or medicines shall be dispatched or delivered only after scrutiny and verification by an Inspector from the Office of the Assistant Drug Controller, Kishtwar, or by the concerned police authorities.
3. Surveillance and Record Maintenance:
All courier agencies are required to install high-resolution CCTV cameras at their premises for round-the-clock surveillance and maintain computerized records of consignments, clearly noting details of consignors and consignees. These records must be made available to authorities whenever required.
4. Mandatory Registration:
All courier agencies must register themselves with the competent authority within seven days from the issuance of the advisory. Failure to do so will render their operations liable to suspension as per the existing regulatory framework.
5. Regular Inspections and Monitoring:
The Police Department, in coordination with the Assistant Drug Controller, will conduct periodic inspections of courier offices to ensure adherence to the laid-down norms and detect any misuse of courier networks for trafficking activities.
6. Fortnightly Reporting Mechanism:
The Senior Superintendent of Police, Kishtwar, has been directed to submit fortnightly inspection and enforcement reports to the District Magistrate for onward transmission to higher authorities.
Zero Tolerance Policy on Drug Trafficking
The District Magistrate has warned all courier operators that any direct or indirect involvement in the transportation, handling, or facilitation of narcotic or psychotropic substances will be viewed with utmost seriousness and dealt with firmly under the NDPS Act and other allied laws in force.
Emphasizing the administration’s zero-tolerance policy towards drug trafficking, the District Magistrate said that the cooperation of courier agencies is crucial in breaking the supply chain of illicit drugs, which has emerged as a major social and law-and-order concern across the Union Territory.
Wide Publicity and Enforcement
The District Information Officer has been instructed to give wide publicity to the advisory through print, electronic, and social media to ensure public awareness. The advisory has also been forwarded to all Sub-Divisional Magistrates, Tehsildars, and Station House Officers in District Kishtwar for strict implementation.
The District Magistrate’s office has reiterated that strict compliance with the advisory is mandatory, and any violation will attract penal action as per the law.
