KARACHI: A recent report by the police about an anti-drug operation in Chanesar Goth carries alarming details of connection between the law enforcement agency, its special and intelligence branches, excise department, and drug traders and smugglers protecting the illegal business in the city. The report, a copy of which is available with Dawn, also speaks of an “organised nexus of police, lawyers, notables and political representatives” behind the racket.

The document titled Operation Detail Report — Chanesar Goth, PS Mehmoodabad actually contains day-to-day details of a four-month operation in the densely populated neighbourhood that led to “almost an end” to drug business in the area where it had been booming for the last three decades.

The success, the report said, was not achieved only through raids and sending over 150 drug peddlers behind bars but also taking action against dozens of policemen ranked from constable to DSP and severing the supply line, which was being operated by the excise officials.

DSP among policemen booked for abetment

Above all, sources privy to the details, strategy and success of the operation suggest that the police authorities persuaded the “notables” and “political leaders” of the area to stay away from influencing the exercise which in the past was not able to meet its logical end because of political pressure and the close contacts of the drug peddlers with the power corridors.

“The police first prepared the list of the wanted criminals and identified some 176 active persons involved in the business, including women,” SP Dr Rizwan Ahmed told Dawn. “During the last four months, we have arrested 160 of them. A total of 20 gangs, identified as active drug dealers, have been busted and a large number of policemen, including a DSP, have been suspended and booked. The drug business has almost come to an end but its sustainability depends on the continuation of raids and arrest of the remaining drug peddlers.”

Apart from details of the criminals’ modus operandi and drug peddlers’ activities, the report defines how one police station — Mehmoodabad — became the most lucrative for posting of any official where dozens of policemen had been serving for years due to their strong relations with the well-connected drug lords in Chanesar Goth. The report came up with the details of such policemen with numbers of such officials, their ranks, their alleged connections with criminal groups and finally action against them after the facts emerged during the operation.

According to the report a DSP-ranked officer, three inspectors, several assistant sub-inspectors and dozens of police constables were identified, suspended or dismissed and booked during the last four months for their involvement in the drug business. Apart from the men posted at the Mehmoodabad police station, a number of Special Branch officials were also identified and action was initiated against them as well.

The same situation remained with the officials of the excise department, who were identified for supplying drugs to the gangs, believed to be from the stocks which were seized by the provincial institution in raids and different actions.

Though the police authorities claim to have achieved major success in the operation which did not cause any loss of life or violence as in the past, the facts mentioned in the report suggest a distressing situation in the larger context.

“Political forces supporting gang warfare are also supporting drug peddlers in Chanesar Goth, which is a constant threat to the future of the area and Mehmoodabad police station,” it said. “Strong action must be taken by the law enforcement agencies against these facilitators of drug peddlers to control the menace of drugs and terrorism within the area of Chanesar Goth. Also the facilitators and the harbourers must be dealt with an iron hand in order to establish permanent control of the law enforcement agencies and eradicating drug mafia from the area. The area has the potential to transform into Lyari or a stronghold of gangs as [they have] roots in these areas.”

Published in Dawn, February 22nd, 2018