Kathmandu, February 16

Police have arrested seven persons with drugs from different places of Kathmandu valley.

Despite police’s tall claim to have gained success in controlling crime and smuggling of contraband, drug traffickers continue to supply drugs to the end users.

According to Central Police New Section, Ajay Pariya, a microbus driver, and his helper Ramesh Pariyar were held with 99 ampules of Dialex DC during a security screening of the vehicle at Jagati of Suryabinayak Municipality, Bhaktapur, yesterday.

On the basis of their statement, police arrested Ramesh Prasad Dahal of Makwanpur and Salman Miya of Saptari with 75 ampoules of Dialex DC and 42 ampoules of nitravet from Radhe Radhe of Bhaktapur. Dahal and Miya had used the microbus driver and helper to supply the drugs.

Similarly, Binod Khadgi and Sajan Thapa of Lalitpur were arrested in possession of 37 tablets of nitravet and three grams of brown sugar from Nagdhunga. They were travelling to Kathmandu from Birgunj in a bus today. In yet another operation, Suman Khadka of Ramkot, Kathmandu, was held with 53 ampoules of norphine, diazepam and phenrgal from Nagdhunga today. He was returning from Makawanpur when police held him.

Officials said they had stepped up surveillance of suspects smuggling prescription drugs into Kathmandu via Nepal-India border. Organised trade of such drugs, which can only be sold against a doctor’s prescription, is on the rise despite police crackdown. According to police, teenagers account for the largest section of end users of pharmaceutical drugs. Injectable drugs are in high demand as they are easily available.

Diazepam, norphine and nitravet are the most-consumed banned drugs.