Rajbiraj, February 8 Smuggling of drugs is on the rise in Saptari district of late. According to DSP Dan Bahadur Karki of District Police Office, Saptari as many as 26 cases related to drug smuggling were registered at the DPO in the last six months. Speaking at a day-long programme against drug abuse organised at the District Police Office, Saptari today, DSP Karki said, “We’ve arrested 34 persons for their involvement in smuggling or abusing drugs in the last six months, and it’s very likely that this number will double by the end of the current fiscal.”As per the past records, police arrested 43 persons in connection with 18 illegal drug smuggling cases in 2072/73 in the district. Speaking on the occasion, DSP Karki also rued the increasing trend of misuse and smuggling of drugs in the district. “Various factors, including the temptation to make easy money and family issues can be attributed to this trend,” he said. Stating that drug abuse was a serious global problem, Karki underscored the need for support from all walks of life to eliminate the growing scourge drug smuggling and abuse. “Increasing cases of drug abuse and smuggling can also be attributed to open border, but it can be controlled with support from stakeholders as well as civil society,” he said. Narcotic Control Department joint-secretary Kedar Neupane informed about their efforts to control the growing trend of drug abuse.