From smuggled heroin, opium and cocaine to locally produced cannabis, the country’s narcotics industry has become a burning issue with the number of people arrested for narcotic offences increasing by more than 10,000 last year compared to the previous year.
According to Police Narcotics Bureau (PNB) statistics the number arrested for offences had increased from 18, 743 in 2009 to 29,796 in 2010.
The PNB also revealed that narcotic related crimes topped the list of offences followed by excise offences and theft. From January to June this year, the PNB seized about 14 kg of heroin and 6,430 kg of cannabis.
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| Some seized Heroin |
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Trapping young victims: Drugs concealed in pencils.
Pix by Sanka Vidanagama |
The number of heroin related cases detected increased by 100 percent-- from 5,409 in 2009 to 9,461 in 2010. Similarly, cannabis-related cases have increased from 13,292 in 2009 to 20,243 in 2010.
Former DIG Anton Jeyanathan , the country’s first PNB chief, told the Sunday Times that a combined task force should be set up at the international airport and other entry points to the country to curb activities of smugglers.
“People travelling to countries such as Pakistan and India on business should be monitored as there is a possibility of drugs being smuggled into the country in small quantities,” he warned.
Heroin is smuggled into the country from the “golden crescent” region–Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iran and the “golden triangle”– Myanmar, Thailand and Laos. Refined heroin is white while street heroin which is brown due to impurities is widely used as it is less expensive. The latter is inhaled while the former is injected.
Opium comes from Afghanistan and India, where poppy plants are grown to produce the pain killer morphine. Cocaine that is manufactured from Coca leaves, is mainly grown in South American nations and sold at high prices.
By December 2010, the average street price of a kilo of heroin was Rs. 6.5 million while a kilo of opium was sold at Rs. 1.3 million and cannabis at Rs. 32,000. A kilo of hashish went for Rs. 700,000 and cocaine Rs. 16 million, PNB sources said.
“Heroin acts as a depressant while cocaine acts as a stimulant. Heroin addicts show withdrawal symptoms and their bodies demand more. This leads to violence, theft and other social problems. Cannabis, more popularly known as ganja or kansa, is mainly used by people in rural areas whereas Hashish – known as grass, weed or pot – is more a rich kids’ drug and consumed at night clubs, karaoke parlours and gatherings such as musical shows,” Mr. Jeyanathan said.
He said the PNB which is the only specialized unit to deal with drug abuse in the country, lacks personnel and other facilities such as vehicles and modern equipment to tackle the steadily increasing problem.
“The PNB should be strengthened as it has successfully tackled large scale detections despite the lack of facilities. The main responsibility of the PNB is to nab smugglers and financiers while local police stations should step in with information on drug dealers and users in their respective areas,” Mr Jeyanathan said, adding that the National Dangerous Drugs Control Board should play an active role in curbing drug dealers and rehabilitating addicts.
“Drug control boards are among the top law agencies in many countries. It is the main body to introduce action plans, strengthen surveillance and setup professional rehabilitation and counselling centres,” he said.
According to the former DIG, there are instances when police officers misuse the power vested in them by selling the seized drugs or planting drugs on persons whom they want to frame.
Meanwhile, the Sunday Times learns that Pakistanis, Indians and Maldivians comprised the highest number of foreign nationals arrested in the country for drug offences in 2010 and 2011. Within the country Western, North Western, Southern, Central and Eastern Provinces reported the highest heroin and cannabis seizure and arrests of offenders.
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| Prof. Siri Hettige |
Pubudu Sumanasekare Alcohol and Drugs Control Board (ADIC) Executive director |
The Sunday Times attempts to get a comment from PNB director, Superintendent of Police S.W.Senaratne, proved futile as he requested to contact acting DIG of Narcotics Jayantha Kulatilake who was out of the country.
Alcohol and Drugs Control Board (ADIC) Executive director Pubudu Sumanasekare said incidents of drug trafficking was high in densely populated urban areas and coastal regions, where the tourism industry flourishes.
“In Negombo, a packet of five grams of heroin costs Rs.500. It is also unfortunate that some musicians not only use drugs but also encourage its use in their songs. Community involvement is important to control the demand for these substances,” he said.
Mr. Sumanasekare said politicians, police and bureaucrats are influential people who could curb the drug menace in the country but in some cases these very groups have links with drug dealers.
Renowned sociologist from the University of Colombo, Prof. Siri Hettige said enforcement was the key. “It is the responsibility of law enforcement authorities to launch indepth investigations and uncover the rackets. It is when enforcement agencies fail that the drug industry gets a boost of life.”
In countries like Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand, strict drug enforcement laws, including the death penalty, are imposed even on foreign nationals he said, adding that couselling, community level intervention and public awareness are vital in addressing the issue and in accepting rehabilitated addicts back into society.
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