Ashrafuddin Pirzada
LANDIKOTAL: Intensifying the ongoing crackdown against social evils, police destroyed poppy crops cultivated a several acres of land in the remote area of Loey Shalman in Landikotal and arrested several cultivators, police officials said on Thursday.
District Police Officer Khyber Rai Mazhar Iqbal said that during the action, several suspects involved in the illegal cultivation and drug trade were apprehended. Cases have been registered against the arrested individuals under relevant sections of the Anti-Narcotics Act.
He said that the war against drugs would be continued until the menace was completely eradicated. He reiterated the department’s commitment to eliminating all forms of narcotics activity from the region.
The DPO appealed to the public to support police efforts by reporting any drug-related activities in their neighbourhoods. He emphasized that public cooperation was essential in winning the fight against drug abuse.
Poppy cultivation in Pakistan remained a challenge, especially in the border and remote regions. According to official data, around 6,700 acres of land are being used for illegal poppy cultivation every year, with Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and tribal districts among the most affected areas.
Authorities believe that the remoteness of areas like Loey Shalman, Tirah and the rest of the border villages provides cover for such illegal activities, making operations more difficult and requiring coordinated efforts from law enforcement agencies.
The destroyed poppy fields in Loey Shalman would have potentially yielded a significant quantity of opium, contributing to the drug supply chain in the region and beyond. Police termed the operation a “major success” in disrupting the local narcotics network.
Security officials confirmed that intelligence-based operations would be continued in the coming weeks, focusing on both cultivators and those involved in drug trafficking.
They warned that anyone found complicit in drug production or trade would face strict legal consequences.
This operation marks another milestone in the district police’s anti-narcotics campaign, reinforcing their resolve to protect the community, especially the youth, from the dangers of drug addiction.
