NETs recover huge quantity of ‘ice’ drug in operations across KP

PESHAWAR: A number of gangs involved in the drug business have been busted as operations are underway by the Narcotics Eradication Teams (NET) across the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Special NETs have been set up in every district of the province to eradicate drugs. They have been tasked to go after the manufacturers, sellers and traffickers of ice or methamphetamine).

“The Peshawar Police have recovered 48kg meth during operations since July 1. One drug factory operating in urban Gulbahar area was also unearthed,” the Senior Superintendent of Police (Operations) Yasir Afridi told The News.

The official added two special teams of NE have been constituted in the capital city to go after the drug mafia. One team is operating in Cantt and Saddar divisions while another is for Rural and City divisions.

“The City division recovered the highest quantity of ice, 29.4kg, during the period. The recovery of ice in the Rural division was 7.8kg, followed by 5.9kg in Saddar and 4.5kg in Cantt divisions,” said the deputy city police chief.

He said that 223 accused were arrested during the last few days.

“Four drug factories were unearthed during operations against the drug mafias in Khyber. Besides, nine KGs of ice, 36 KGs heroin, 13 KG opium, 42 kg hashish and 63 kg chemicals being used in drugs have been recovered in the last five days,” District Police Officer of Khyber, Waseem Riaz, told The News. He added nine members of the mafia were arrested.

All the DPOs have been directed to set up NET and ensure the appointment of a clean and competent deputy superintendent of police (DSPs) as it’s head for tightening the noose around the drug mafia.

The KP Police chief Moazzam Jah Ansari had ordered the setting up of NET 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.

The NET has been set up in almost all the districts to go after the mafia involved in dealing drugs. The NETs will be under the direct command of the district police officer.

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

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

An official said the relevant station house officers will be held responsible for inaction or complicity once they fail to go after the drug business in their area and NET is to take action.

Action against the SHO will be taken either for his inefficiency or otherwise criminal involvement if any of his subordinates or himself in the dirty business.

According to the official, the special teams will submit a daily report to the DPO and will work in two shifts.