Crackdown on sale of narcotics-related items ordered

Private locations like houses, restaurants, shops will be raided based on intel reports

KARACHI:

The Sindh government has ordered an operation against items used for smoking or inhaling drugs. In this regard, Sindh Senior Minister, Sharjeel Inam Memon chaired an important meeting of the Excise, Taxation, and Narcotics Control Wing, and ordered a crackdown on items used in the preparation of drugs.

The minister issued orders that the sale of narcotic-related items such as Rizla paper, rolling machines, meth pipes, glass pipes, and similar products at shops must be banned completely.

He emphasised that shopkeepers should cooperate with the Excise, Taxation, and Narcotics Control Wing and refrain from selling items used for smoking or inhaling drugs.

Sharjeel clarified that action would be taken against the sale of drugs at private locations including houses, hotels, or restaurants. He stated that authorities have been given powers to conduct raids on these premises after obtaining due approval from the competent authority.

He said that alarming increase in the use of drugs in society is a serious threat especially to the youth. Operations against drug trafficking need to be accelerated in cooperation with Rangers and police, he said.

Sharjeel instructed that the mobile units within the Excise, Taxation, and Narcotics Control Wing should be made fully operational. He also ordered the establishment of Excise Department check posts at Emar, Malir, Derakhshan, Hawke's Bay, and other locations across Karachi to prevent drug trafficking.

Excise Secretary Muhammad Saleem Rajput informed the meeting that 216 excise officers are currently undergoing training by the police while 320 officers have been sent to the Narcotics Control Wing.

DG Narcotics Control Usman Ghani Siddiqui, and other senior officers also attended the meeting.

Sharjeel has also stated that the provincial government was increasing the number of rehabilitation centres for drug addicts in Sindh. There was a capacity to accommodate 400 people in the rehabilitation centres in the province while there were 7,000 pending applications from individuals seeking help to overcome their addiction.