KARACHI, July 15: Gharibabad goth in the jurisdiction of Malir City police limits has become a major drug den where drug peddlers are freely trading in white powder right under the nose of law-enforcement agencies. Although Malir City police personnel and the Madadgar ‘15’ teams pass through the locality very frequently as a routine patrolling, the illegal trading continues unchecked, area people complained.

They pointed out that on many occasions in the past, police had conducted raids but they neither recovered any drugs nor did they arrest any peddler.

According to some local residents, the main source of drug supply to this den was somewhere in Hub Chowki and most of the carriers appeared to be women. The white powder is sold in units rates of which ranged from Rs50 to Rs1,000.

Scores of heroin addicts may be seen strolling in and around Gharibabad, as well as around the adjoining Malir Dak Khana and Saudia Colony.

Addicts in groups of two, three and more lying in streets and lanes, often even in hot weather, is a common sight in the whole area. They come to the den to buy drugs and would sit anywhere they feel free to use the same.

Local residents said that such an activity matched to that once witnessed at Sohrab Goth when the spot had become a notorious centre of drug trade. The people also appeared perturbed over the increasing thefts involving the addicts in their localities. The addicts would even take away and dispose of manhole covers or discarded metal goods to earn some money for buying heroin. Junk dealers sitting within the localities would always welcome them.

Hundreds of innocent boys have fallen victim to this evil which has destroyed peace at their homes and tranquillity in the society, according to a social worker.

Even some women and young girls go to the den to take heroin powder and sell it to peddlers.

Those visiting the den for purchasing heroin come from different areas, including Landhi, Korangi, Shah Faisal Colony, Quaidabad, Malir, Gulistan-i-Jauhar, Gulshan-i-Iqbal, Saddar, Garden, Orangi and Site.

As the narcotics business at Sohrab Goth has dwindled these days to some extent, apparently after departure of most of the Afghan refugees living there, Gharibabad Goth has now become a safe haven for peddlers.

Some residents of the goth said that some political activists were also involved in the flourishing drug trade in this area. They said that members of the gang led by notorious criminal Rehman Dakait might have been running the business here.

The area people have appealed to Sindh Govenor Dr Ishratul Ibad and Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim to order a strict check on the narcotics business in Malir. They have drawn their attention to the sufferings of a large number of families struck by the deadly evil as children, youth and even their parents had already been lured to drug peddling or addiction by criminals. They demanded stern action against the police personnel patronizing the den.