ISLAMABAD: A narcotics control unit is being established by the capital police to crack down on drug dens, dealers and peddlers.

Senior police officers told Dawn that recommendations were also being prepared for legislation or an amendment to the Control of Narcotics Substances Act, envisaging harsh punishment for those dealing in new drugs such as ice.

They said the narcotics control unit was being set up under the supervision of the senior superintendent of police (operations), which would comprise both, men in uniforms and plain clothes. The plainclothesmen will be responsible for intelligence and information gathering about dens, dealers and peddlers.

Proposals being prepared for legislation to introduce harsh punishment for drug dealers, say officers

The unit will also mount intelligence over police officials who were hands in gloves with operators of such dens, dealers and peddlers.

The police already have informers at the police station level but they either work for the station house officers (SHOs) or other staff at police stations.

The services of such informers will be brought under the unit, the officers said.

The unit’s responsibilities and working is being drafted and examined by officers concerned and after approval it would be made functional.

The officers said narcotics dens were operating in areas such as Tarnol, Bhara Kahu, Sihala, Khanna and Koral but so far no serious efforts have been made to eliminate them.

In the Control of Narcotics Substances Act, punishment is mentioned according to the weight of the drugs and it does not matter if it is hashish, opium, heroin, cocaine or ice, said the officers.

A proposal for punishment as per the type of drugs is being made. Harsh and severe punishment is being sought for hazardous and new drugs such as cocaine and ice.

A deputy inspector general of police is working on the recommendations for amendment to the act, they added.

There is a massive demand for drugs in the capital city and as a result, a large number of people are involved in the illegal business as dealers and sellers, the officers said. Police regularly arrest drug dealers and peddlers but they are always replaced by their accomplices, who continue the business.

The demand for drugs comes from all segments of society, including students of universities and colleges, they added.

The police will also launch an awareness campaign against drugs, including in educational institutes and assistance of notables such as ulema and teachers will be sought in this regard.

When contacted, Director Media for Police SSP Dr Syed Mustafa Tanweer said the police had already launched action against drug dealers.

About the involvement of police officials with operators of drug dens, the SSP said: “We will carry out our own accountability first to stop such illegal activities.”

Published in Dawn, August 14th, 2021