NATORE Dec ' >: A powerful drug uallh king syndicate In Natore region has changed its strategy and is now using mainly the rivet routes for marketing phensidvl to differ eltt parts ol the country

file alternate land route has not been abandoned and is be mg used onlv oc< asionally. an investigation by The Daily Star coirespondent revealed

the routes are changed fre quentlv to esc ape vigilance of lo< al people al dillerent points.

Because with a lew exceptions. the illegal trafficking is being carried out allegedly with the knowledge and cooperation oi a section of law-enforcing personnel.

this correspondent foraging the drug business has learnt that phensidvl enters Natore through the border areas of Lalpur thana and from some points in Rajshahi district surrounding Natore.

The traffickers first make a buffer stock of the item at selected points in the bonier areas ol Rajshahi and Natore.

the main points are learnt: Aram, Belpukur, Shardah. Baneshwar, Taherpur and Shadhanpur.

the phensidvl traders use the boats that ply from Taher-pur and Shadhanpur hats with vegetables and other goods for Dhaka

About 100 to 150 boats leave these two hats for Dhaka twice in a week. At least 2.000 bottles oi phensidvl worth about Taka two lakh are loaded in each boat, one of the drug traffickers told this correspondent on condition of anonymity.

Another report adds: Illegal drug trade has been spreading in the area of the town affecting a large number of youths.

causing concern among the guardian

Some misguided youths belonging to the middle and higher class families are al legedlv involved in conducting this trade in the residential ar eas.

A spot investigation by this correspondent revealed that phensidyl made in India, is abundantly available in various residential areas.

The Pourashava authorities, after a meeting exclusively on law and order situation, evicted a drug trader holding licence from Lalbazar which is stir rounded by residential quar ters.

But it was found that some, parts of Meerpara. Dhopapara. Bargacha. Tebaria. Kapurlap-atty and Dighapatia areas in the town have become popular spots for illegal phensidyl and cnolat (a locally made wine) trade.

Local people alleged that the Hawkers' Market ofthe town is the centra) point from where phensidyl is carried by vendors and some roving sellers to other areas and sold at between Taka 80 and Taka 150 per bot tie-

Loose phensidyl syrup is also being sold In several tea stalls in the railway station ar eas and freely consumed by youth.

It may be mentioned that police action, regarding the matter, is hardly noticed. Occa sional raids only temporarily displaces such illegal drug dealers.

It is not very tough to remove such business from the recognised' points in the town and its surrounding areas but of course, at the same time, social movement has to be developed to strongly curb such menace.