ISLAMABAD: The Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) has recovered narcotics worth more than Rs20 million and arrested 16 suspects, including seven women and two Thai nationals, during eight anti-smuggling operations conducted across Pakistan.
According to an ANF spokesperson, the operations targeted drug trafficking networks operating near educational institutions and in several major cities. A total of 330.192 kilograms of narcotics were seized during the raids.
Near the Islamabad Toll Plaza, authorities arrested a man and a woman travelling on a passenger bus after recovering 2kg of crystal meth (Ice). During interrogation, the suspects allegedly admitted to supplying drugs to students at educational institutions.
At Islamabad International Airport, officials recovered 1.878kg of Ice from the luggage of two Thai women travelling to Abu Dhabi. In a separate operation at the same airport, 14.314kg of Ice, concealed in clothing, was seized from the baggage of a man and woman bound for Jeddah.
In Karachi, ANF recovered 16kg of Ice hidden inside 14 men’s jackets in a parcel destined for Australia, while 7kg of heroin concealed in a parcel of socks being shipped to Italy was also seized.
Further operations led to the recovery of 226.8kg of hashish hidden in a marble-loaded truck near Multan’s Sher Shah Toll Plaza, and 61.2kg of hashish from a vehicle near Sheikhupura Toll Plaza, where five suspects were arrested. In Lahore, three women were arrested after 1kg of Ice was recovered from their possession near Ravi Toll Plaza.
The ANF said cases have been registered under the Control of Narcotic Substances Act, 1997, and further investigations are underway.
