KARACHI, April 13: The business of narcotics in the Site Town is on the rise. Heroin and other drugs are openly traded in Pathan Colony, Pirabad, Sheerkhanabad, Pak Colony, Baloch Colony and other areas of the town.

These drugs are brought from Sohrab Goth and Hab Chowki to local drug dens. Residents have blamed authorities for giving a free hand to the culprits.

SITE TPO Javed Akber, when contacted on Friday, denied any involvement of police personals in this drug peddling business. The TPO denied that any such activities were on the rise in his jurisdiction.

He, however, confessed that small quantity of charas and 'Garda' was being sold at certain areas. The TPO stated that criminals involved were too organised and patrolling in certain congested areas was too difficult.

The official said that they had launched a pilot project of ‘Committee of Community Elders’ in the UC-5 to contain the situation. He mentioned that police would monitor the efficiency and progress of the committee after six months, and then only the project would be launched throughout the SITE town.

The TPO said that the two-month performance of such committee showed encouraging results. He added that security was ensured of the community people helping the police.

He mentioned that the Sindh home department was concerned about the narcotics business, especially in Karachi.

An area resident revealed that drug addicts were involved in various street crimes like cellphone snatching and other criminal activities.

According to area sources, majority of drug-sellers and addicts were local youth. Once they get addicted they start selling it to earn money to satisfy their own needs. There were incidents of whole families involved in the drug business, including women.

Some locals linked the situation to the prevailing poverty.

Site Town Naib Nazim Badshah Khan, when contacted, urged higher anti-narcotics authorities to prevent the trafficking of drug into the city. He demanded that drugs must be countered at origin and destination points.

Capturing addicts or small peddlers is not the key, higher level action is a must to check the alarming situation, he stated.—PPI