Drug arrests surge in Far West Nepal: Over 1,800 individuals detained

Dhangadhi– In a significant crackdown on drug-related offenses, authorities in Far West Nepal have reported the arrest of 1,822 individuals over the past fiscal year, with 123 of them being women.

The Sudurpaschim Province Police Office has released detailed statistics highlighting a troubling trend in drug abuse and trafficking in the region. In the fiscal year 2077/78, police detained 18 women and 367 men; these numbers increased in subsequent years, with 26 women and 542 men arrested in 2078/79, and 79 women alongside 790 men in 2079/80. The majority of arrests occurred in Kailali District, where 132 individuals were detained in 2077/78, leading to charges against 91.

In the following year, out of 315 arrests, cases were registered against 201 individuals, while in 2079/80, 522 arrests resulted in 348 charges. Kanchanpur also saw a notable number of arrests, with 141 cases from 230 individuals in 2077, and 239 out of 293 in 2079. Other districts reported smaller numbers, with minimal arrests in Dadeldhura, Doti, Achham, Bajhang, Bajura, Baitadi, and Darchula.

The arrested population showcases a concerning demographic breakdown: 71 individuals were aged 10 to 15, while the majority, 583, were between 16 and 20. Among those detained, 469 were engaged in agriculture, 419 as semi-laborers, and 335 were unemployed. The increasing trend in drug-related offenses has raised alarms among local authorities, prompting calls for enhanced community awareness and preventive measures to combat the growing crisis.