Drug Addiction has become ubiquitous everywhere. From the lanes and by-lanes in cities and towns to the remotest corner of the rural areas drug is showing its sway defying the law enforcement agencies. The dreadful drugs from beyond the borders of the country are making inroads into the country. Despite crackdowns, the aggression of drug on our society is continuing and it has not been possible to root out the rogue drug traders. The mighty mafia group is involved in drug trade all the world over and they are always hyperactive in smuggling out different types of drugs to other countries. They are so invincible and dangerous that the law enforcement agencies of any country seem to be no match for them. They have their agents and suppliers all over the world and it appears to be a very tough task to protect our youths from the all-rapacious attack of drugs. We are, therefore, to wage a total war against the drug barons or the drug traders who are out to destroy our youth forces.
According to a report published in an English daily on Saturday, drug trade is rife and it is thriving at Geneva Camp at Mohammadpur despite frequent raids and installation of police checkpoints in the area. For decades, Geneva Camp has been known as one of Dhaka’s most notorious drug hubs, with the illegal trade surviving successive governments and countless special drives against the drug traders. The narcotics trade, which was mostly confined to the camp’s narrow alleys, has now spilled onto the main streets in broad daylight and in a more organized way. For control of lucrative trading spots rival groups get locked in clashes, which have intensified over the last few months and at least ten people have been killed in clashes in the last 19 months, according to media reports.
According to a report, Illegal substances worth over TK 1.5 crore are sold at the camp daily now. About a decade ago, two kingpins dominated the trade. But after their death, smaller groups took over. They now operate under two major rival gangs. These bands of illicit drug traders often jockey for dominance which ultimately turn into violent clashes creating panic among the residents in and around the camps. In anti-drug drives by law enforcement agencies numerous drug peddlers are arrested. As punishment each of them is kept in jail hajat for some months only. After release from confinement these criminals come back in drug sale. It is of no use to arrest these small drug dealers unless the drug dons, who are working behind the drug smuggling, are nabbed and exemplary punishment is meted out to them. But the key operators stay outside the camp. They visit the camp secretly for a brief period and leave unnoticed.
