KARACHI: The Special Investigation Unit (SIU) of the Crime Investigation Agency (CIA) Karachi and the Special Task Force have conducted major operations across the city against drug trafficking networks, seizing a substantial quantity of narcotics worth Rs1 billion, disclosed Sindh Home minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar on Monday in a media briefing at the Karachi Police Office (KPO).
Lanjar, accompanied by Excise Minister Mukesh Kumar Chawla, Additional IG Karachi Javed Alam Odho and senior police officials, announced a cash reward of Rs1 million for the police team involved in the successful operation.
He said that in intelligence-based raids at multiple locations, law enforcement agencies seized over 508 kilograms of narcotics, including 468 packets of hashish and 540 packets of crystal meth (ice). A total of 13 suspects were arrested, among them Excise & Narcotics Control Wing AETO Javed Sheikh, from whose residence 50 kilograms of hashish and 10 kilograms of ice were seized.
He added that during further targeted operations over the last 44 hours, an additional 14 tonnes of narcotics were confiscated. He said that key disclosures from the arrested suspects have helped authorities trace drug depots and operational networks. The suspects are believed to be part of organised groups involved in the sale and transportation of drugs.
The home minister said that a total of 22 special operations were conducted. He reaffirmed that the crackdown is being carried out under a strict zero-tolerance policy and will continue without interruption to protect citizens from the scourge of narcotics. He further disclosed that operations were conducted in Gulistan-e-Jauhar and Pak Colony, resulting in the arrest of 14 individuals linked to Balochistan-based drug rackets, several of whom had been previously arrested.
Lanjar told the media that from the residence of drug trafficker Saif-ur-Rehman alias Pappu, 50 kilograms of drugs were seized, leading to the arrest of Excise & Narcotics Control Wing AETO Javed Rasheed. He revealed that 28 officials from the Excise Department were arrested and dismissed from service for involvement in narcotics-related activities.
So far, police have arrested 56 individuals linked to drug trafficking groups in different raids. “I am not blaming the courts; however, we have improved legislation. Police efforts to restore peace in Karachi will continue. Policing remains a major challenge in a city with a highly diverse population,” he said, adding that the police performance will further improve next year.
He also confirmed that an operation is being planned soon in the riverine areas (Kutcha) where law enforcement presence is limited.Excise Minister Mukesh Kumar Chawla said that every department operates within its jurisdiction, adding that preventing cross-border drug smuggling falls under the mandate of the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF).
“Drug abuse is a curse, and we will uproot it completely,” he said. Commending the efforts of the law enforcement agencies, Home Minister Lanjar praised Additional IG Javed Alam, DIGs and their teams for their outstanding work.
