ISLAMABAD: It’s no secret that Islamabad has become inundated with illicit drugs. Recently, a conspiracy has been unearthed related to a surge in the number of young drug addicts. The menace of drug business is on an all time high especially in the densely populated areas of the capital. According to information received from sources, there is a gang of 11 people who are running a drug racket in various sectors of Islamabad and some of them are serving in the police. The majority of those peddling drugs in the streets are either young children or females. “Doray” village in the jurisdiction of Police Station Goldra and “Athaal” village in the jurisdiction of Police Station Bara Kahu have become no-go areas for the police officials as the smugglers there are levelled against the concerned police stations. They supply drugs to customers in markets, schools, colleges, universities, government and private institutions, using cell phones and mobile services for their transaction of money. While the ICT police has shown leniency and sluggishness and in some cases even colluded with the mighty dealers, the dealers and their minions have developed a code language to warn, in case of a raid or any untoward incident. The Crime Investigation Agency is yet to show spine in dealing with the menace that is gnawing at the very roots of the society. There are multiple instances when the police have let go those who were in possession of illicit drugs. Some cases that came to the knowledge of this reporter revolve around Munir Ahmed, a resident of KP, who was caught red-handed while smuggling three kgs of charas back to Rawalpindi. But in order to make the punishment less severe, it was shown as 700 grams. When the quarters concerned were offered bribe, Munir was given full facilities in jail and also during trial. Many other cases came to a fore where small peddlers were caught and drug dealers were spared and given a licence to run free. The question arises when there are pickets at every entry and exit point, the police and rangers roam around the city 24/7, they have been given new cars and weapons, patrolling budgets have been enhanced, there is a palpable increase in general hold-ups and 22 police stations around Islamabad register more than 15 FIRs related to drug trafficking, then why every third of the youngsters in the capital in Islamabad is a drug addict. The ANF has made more than 1300 arrests of individuals involved in this trade. Around 241 of them hailed from the police. Islamabad gets most of its drugs from KP, Dera Ismail Khan and Chitral. The rate for facilitating smugglers of charas is 10,000 rupees per kg, while powder is priced around 20,000 rupees. While the curse of addiction continues unchecked, private rehabilitation centres charge an exorbitant price for the treatment of a drug addict, charging thousands of rupees per day. SSP Operations Sajid Kiyani Daily Times that all the precautionary measures had been taken and the personnel of Islamabad Police was thoroughly working to prevent smuggling of drugs across the capital. When contacted, the PRO for Inspector General Islamabad Police, Zia said that he had nothing to do with the issue and he did not have the responsibility to give a version to the media persons. This scribe tried several times to take the stance of Inspector General Islamabad, Khalid Khattak, but he did not attend the call on his personal number.