NET kicks off operations against drug mafias

PESHAWAR: A number of districts have set up Narcotics Eradication Teams (NET) to launch crackdown on drug dealers, especially those involved in the sale and production of ice (methamphetamine) and heroin.

The KP Police authorities had ordered all the district police officers (DPOs) to set up NET for tightening the noose around the drug mafia.

They were directed to ensure the appointment of clean and competent deputy superintendent of police (DSPs) as heads of the squads to effectively lead the operations.

Two teams of the NET were set up in the provincial capital on Friday. Capital City Police Officer Abbas Ahsan said the teams had already kicked off operations.

The official said four drug dealers were arrested on the first day and over 30kg of hashish and a huge quantity of ice drugs were recovered from them.

“A special NET has been set up in Bannu with 40 policemen to accelerate operations against the drug mafia in the district. DSP Rizwan will head the squad that is to launch a crackdown on ice and other drug mafias in the district,” an official said.

The official said NET was also set up in Nowshera which would be headed by DSP Tauheedullah.

Several districts have set up NETs while others are to form the teams in a day or so.

“KP Police Chief Moazzam Jah Ansari had ordered setting up of NETs to cut the supply route of ice, heroin, hashish, opium and synthetic drugs across the province. All the DPOs were directed to appoint clean, competent and brave officers to head the new anti-drug force,” said an official.

In every district, the NET is to be headed by a DSP assisted by 40 policemen, one third of which will be Elite commandoes. The force will include a number of inspectors and sub-inspectors and their jurisdiction will be the entire district.

These teams will go after the drug mafia across the district and will submit reports daily.

In Peshawar, there will be four special teams of the NET to go after the drug dealers, particularly those involved in the sale and production of ice or meth. Other districts will have three or two teams that will work in two shifts.

The NETs will be under the direct command of the district police officer.

“Appointing a weak officer only as formality will affect the performance of the new squad and will benefit the mafia,” said a source.

“The relevant station house officers will be held responsible for inaction or complicity once they fail to go after the drug business in their areas and NET is to take action. Action against the SHO will be taken either for his inefficiency or otherwise criminal involvement of any of his subordinates or himself in the dirty business,” an official informed The News.

According to the official, the special teams will submit daily reports to DPO and will work in two shifts. They will be provided with at least three vehicles and other facilities for effective operations.

A crackdown on drug dealers is already underway across the KP and a number of dealers are being held daily.

“In connection with the fresh crackdown, all the districts, sub-divisions and police stations have been tasked to prepare lists of big fish in their area. The cops involved in mere eyewash will be made accountable and strict action will be taken against them for either negligence or criminal involvement,” said an official.

Several operations against ice dealers, manufacturers and traffickers were launched across KP after the number of addicts increased in the last few years.

However, the number of addicts is still growing. Not only men but also a large number of women and teenagers have become ice addicts.

The drug dealers have specially targeted educational institutions and hostels to lure more youth to the narcotics.

Many ice addicts were also found to be involved in various crimes including the violent ones.

It has been learnt that some tablets and syrups being sold at medical stores are also being used by the addicts when they can’t find other drugs.