In Nepal’s Kathmandu Valley, particularly Bhaktapur district, pharmacies and beauty parlors are reportedly turning into hubs for illegal drug trafficking. The District Police Office in Bhaktapur has intensified raids and undercover operations in response to a growing trend of arrests related to narcotics transactions at these establishments.
Superintendent of Police Madhav Budathoki reported that pharmacies, meant to dispense government-approved medicines, are now suspected of contributing to public health risks by dealing in illegal drugs. With a significant increase in arrests this month—ten people apprehended across five cases—the district police have shifted focus towards these establishments in Kathmandu Valley.
SP Budathoki, who assumed his position a month ago, shared his concerns after reviewing last year’s crime data, which showed no arrests or cases related to drug trafficking or abuse in Bhaktapur. This lack of enforcement raised suspicions, prompting him to initiate a campaign to address the issue.
The police have launched a campaign targeting not only pharmacies but also beauty parlors, which have emerged as surprising fronts for drug transactions. On Saturday, officers raided Suzu Medical, a pharmacy in Madhyapur Thimi-9 Radhe Radhe, after discovering it was involved in drug trafficking. The pharmacy’s owner, 48-year-old Ganesh Prasad Acharya, was taken into custody, with police seizing 530 tablets of narcotics.
Another pharmacy in Madhyapur Thimi-1 Lokanthali was also raided, resulting in the arrest of owner Rohit Singh and an accomplice, Baliram Khadka, with 180 illegal tablets in their possession. The police are pursuing legal action and have extended their custody for further investigation.
Police Spokesperson and Deputy Superintendent Dhundiraj Neupane disclosed that during questioning, a user identified as 28-year-old Rajesh Guragain, who was arrested with three 50 mg tablets of Tapentadol, admitted purchasing drugs from Suzu Medical. This led the police to conduct a follow-up raid, where they seized an additional 320 tablets of 50 mg Tapentadol and 210 tablets of 100 mg Tapentadol from the pharmacy.
In a separate operation, police also arrested two individuals from Sallaghari, Bhaktapur, on charges of possessing 70 illegal Tramadol tablets. The suspects, 18-year-old Sushil Karki from Dolakha and 22-year-old Hire Maji from Ramechhap, are currently under investigation.
This crackdown highlights a shift in law enforcement tactics, with Bhaktapur police conducting more undercover and covert search operations across Kathmandu Valley and other areas in Nepal, targeting pharmacies and beauty parlors to combat drug abuse and trafficking in the country.
Kishor Panthi
View More PostsKishor Panthi is the founder and editor-in-chief of Khasokhas and NepYork. He is the author of three books, “Kampan,” "UNTRANSLATABLE" and “Zero Mile.” He writes about social issues, immigration, and politics.
