A disturbing trend has emerged in the Pachhwadoon region of Vikasnagar, where minors are increasingly being used for the trafficking of narcotics. Earlier, women were involved in drug peddling, but now children and adolescents are allegedly being used to transport and sell substances such as smack, charas and ganja.
Recently, local representatives and residents caught a 12-year-old boy with smack. According to locals, similar incidents involving children and teenagers have surfaced in the past as well. They alleged that instead of taking strict action, police often dispose of seized narcotics on the spot, failing to curb the network.
Kunjagrant has reportedly become a hub for drug trafficking and sale, supplying narcotics not only across Pachhwadoon but also to Dehradun and Haridwar. In most cases, the supply is said to originate from Mirzapur in Saharanpur district. What began as an easy-money lure for youth later drew women into the trade, and now minors are being exploited, raising serious concerns.
In the latest case, the 12-year-old reportedly did not even know what he was carrying. He told locals that his aunt had asked him to bring the substance from a person named Kala. The child is a resident of Dehradun and was visiting his aunt’s house. Villagers claim that drug traffickers deliberately use children to avoid legal consequences.
Another concern raised by locals is that traffickers and peddlers in Kunjagrant have installed CCTV cameras outside their houses to monitor police movement. During police raids, suspects allegedly escape through back doors or rooftops after spotting police on cameras.
Police said that on the directions of the SSP, regular foot patrols and awareness campaigns were conducted in the area, including village meetings on the harmful effects of drugs. Despite this, drug trafficking and sale continue unabated.
Local residents accused the police of inaction and demanded stricter enforcement. The village head warned that if effective action is not taken, the impact on children, adolescents and youth will be far more damaging in the future.
Kotwali Incharge Vinod Gusain said the person who sent the smack through the child has been traced and a major crackdown will soon be launched in Kunjagrant to control drug trafficking and sale.
