February 29, 2008	Friday	Safar 21, 1429

BADIN, Feb 28: The narcotics trade in Badin district is on the rise as some 450 home-based illegal wine distilleries are working in the area and in its adjoining localities in connivance with some police and excise department officials, sources said on Thursday.

They said that the consumption of hashish, cannabis and Gutka were also rising alarmingly in the district.

They claimed that according to a survey of local social organisations there were some 50 illegal cottage wine distilleries in the Saddar police limits and in its surrounding areas, 18 in Seerani Road area, 30 in Shahbaz Road, 27 in Irrigation Colony, 56 in Kadhan Road, 40 in Garibabad Mohalla, 75 in Railway Station area, 48 along Khoski Road, six near Civil Hospital Road, 36 in Golarchi Road area, 55 near Hyderabad bus stand, 80 in Pahlwan Goth and 117 in other urban areas.

The police are well aware of these wine distilleries, but they have turned a blind eye to this menace, as local drug barons pay hefty extortion on regular basis.

A social worker, Ashfaq Memon, alleged that millions of rupees change hands every month as extortion from operators of illegal distilleries and drug dens.

Another social leader said that alarming trend of drug abuse is observed among youths under 18-19 years of age.

Local People’s Party leader Amir Hassan Khoso said the drugs sale and consumption would not decline till purging the police and excise department from the black sheep.

GUTKA: Meanwhile, small Gutka-manufacturing units have been reactivated in Talhar town and huge quantity of Gutika is being sold openly in market.

Thousands of packets of Gutka are being transported to different towns including Talhar, Rajo Khanani, Saeedpur, Dando Piro and Lashari.

Dozens of people have lost their lives due to different diseases caused by the use of Gutka, but the police seemed reluctant to take on those behind this menace.

The social, political and religious circles have alleged that some corrupt police officials always inform Gutka traders before any raid.

Police arrest cabin owners and shopkeepers to get bribe from them, while ignoring the manufacturers and big traders.—PPI