Courier Services in Jammu Under Scrutiny for Narcotics

Jammu: District Magistrate Jammu, Dr Rakesh Minhas, has issued an advisory regulating the acceptance and transportation of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances and other contraband by courier and parcel services operating in the district.

The order has been issued under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita 2023, read with relevant provisions of the NDPS Act 1985. As per the directive, no courier company, parcel service or logistics operator in Jammu district shall accept, book or transport any narcotic or psychotropic substance unless it holds a valid transport permit under the NDPS Rules 1985 and complies with provisions of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act 1940.

The order directs all courier and parcel services to strictly verify the identity of consignors and consignees through valid government issued identity documents. Companies have been instructed to maintain complete records of consignments, including sender and receiver details, parcel description, weight, booking date and mode of payment, along with transaction details wherever applicable.

The District Magistrate has also ordered mandatory police verification of all employees engaged in courier and parcel services, including delivery staff, loaders, booking clerks and franchise workers. An updated register of verified employees is to be maintained. Operators have been asked to sensitise staff to identify suspicious consignments and report such cases immediately to the nearest police authority.

The order states that any courier company or agency found violating the directive shall be held personally and legally responsible. Owners, managing directors, directors, agents and employees involved may face prosecution under the NDPS Act, BNSS and other applicable laws. Penalties may include seizure of consignments, cancellation of licences, fines and criminal action.

The Senior Superintendent of Police Jammu has been directed to ensure strict enforcement of the order, conduct inspections and initiate legal action against defaulters.

As the notice cannot be served individually, the order has been issued ex parte and promulgated for public information. It will be published on the district website, in leading newspapers and displayed on notice boards of the offices of SSP Jammu, all SDMs, tehsildars, SDPOs and SHOs in the district.

The order has come into force with immediate effect and will remain valid for eight weeks unless withdrawn, modified or extended earlier. Any violation will attract legal action under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023.