Court freezes property worth Rs 1 cr of habitual drug peddler

In a significant move against the drug mafia, the designated NDPS court-cum-competent authority in New Delhi issued a freezing order for properties worth Rs 1.03 crore belonging to Ruby, a habitual drug peddler from Chhanni village under the Damtal police station. The Nurpur district police displayed the order on her house after a financial investigation revealed her extensive involvement in drug trafficking. The investigation, prompted by her repeated arrests, uncovered substantial assets acquired through illicit means.

Ruby, who has been arrested multiple times for heroin possession since 2018, faces a major financial blow following the confirmation of the freezing order. Eight cases under the NDPS Act have been registered against her, with four lodged at Damtal police station in Nurpur district and the rest in Dharamshala and Pathankot (Punjab). Her latest arrest occurred in April 2024 when 26.18 gram of heroin were seized from her house, leading to her current detention.

According to Nurpur SP Ashok Ratan, Ruby remains in judicial custody following the April arrest under a detention order issued by the Secretary (Home)-cum-Detention Authority, Shimla. The district police submitted the proposal for her detention under Section 3(1) of the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (PIN NDPS) Act, citing her repeated involvement in drug trafficking.

The SP emphasised that extended detention and property confiscation are crucial strategies to combat inter-state drug trafficking. The district police have seized properties worth Rs 16.29 crore linked to Ruby’s illegal activities in eight different cases as of October 19.

This latest action sends a strong message to drug traffickers operating in the region, reinforcing the authorities’ determination to dismantle drug networks and curb the growing narcotics trade.