ISLAMABAD: Despite numerous efforts and measures, the poppy cultivation has not fully been eradicated from the country so far as poppy crops have been observed in some districts in Sindh, Balochistan and the tribal areas.
A well placed source at Anti Narcotics Force (ANF) told this scribe here on Thursday that these districts included Qamber Shandad Kot (Tehsil Qamber & Tehsil Warah) in Sindh, Loralai (Tehsil Duki & Tehsil Mekhtar) District Qilla Abdullah (Tehsil Gulistan) in Balochistan, Mohmand Agency (Tehsil Prang Ghar & Amber), Bajaur Agency (Tehsil Asil Targhow & Dhand Azghan) Khyber Agency (Bara area) in the Federally Administrated Tribal Areas (FATA).
The source said that ANF has taken numerous measures to control preparation of narcotics in the country.
Presently, 28 Police stations of ANF are working in the country to control, stop the smuggling, spread of narcotics (Number of Police Stations have been increased from 25 to 28 by activating during 2014).
ANF Police Station ha been relocated from Haripur to Mansehra Moreover, ANF personnel have been deployed at all international airports, seaports and dry ports to counter precursors trafficking through passengers and goods.
Poppy Crops has been destroyed in coordination with Provincial Government and FATA Administration. Capacity of ANF officials and other Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) has been built through training and provision of equipment. Intelligence network of ANF has been expanded up to police station level. Enrolment of 590 individuals Enforcers in Anti Narcotics Force is in process.
Similarly, strict checking is continuing of international arrivals at all airports and checking of domestic flights at Quetta and Peshawar airports. NADRA Verification System has been extended to HQ RDs for speedy investigations.
Precursors training have been conducted for all users for effective precursor control/ checking. k. Induction of intelligence software (i2) for assistance in investigation/ backtracking. Scope of Port Control Unit (PCU) at Karachi has been expanded. Checking of imports at seaports has also been commenced despite paucity of resources.
With regards to diversion of precursors for manufacturing of narcotics drugs, an elaborate SOP has been formulated and being implemented in letter and spirit. Pre-Export Notification (PEN) online system is in practice to have check on misuse/ diversion of precursors.
