The Sindh Rangers arrested three suspects, including the alleged ringleader of the Chandiya gang, during an intelligence-based operation in Sindhi Goth.
According to a spokesperson for the paramilitary force, the arrested suspects were identified as Rajab, alias Raju, son of Khadim Hussain; Munir Ali Chandio, alias Manu, son of Jaman Chandio; and Abdul Jabbar, alias Baqar, son of Din Muhammad.
The Rangers claimed to have seized a motorcycle, five fake number plates and cash from the suspects’ possession.
According to officials, the suspects, along with their accomplices, were involved in several incidents of robbery and street crime across different areas of Karachi, including Shah Latif Town, Qaddafi Town, Zafar Town, Pipri, Ali Muhammad Goth, Sindhi Goth, Steel Town, Quaidabad, Manghopir Road, New L Colony and Gulshan-e-Hadeed.
They were also allegedly involved in stealing iron and copper from the Pakistan Steel Mills in addition to street crime activities. The arrested individuals were stated to be habitual offenders with several FIRs registered against them at different police stations.
The Rangers said raids were being conducted to arrest other members of the gang. The suspects, along with the seized items, were handed over to police for the initiation of legal proceedings.
Separately, the paramilitary force in a joint operation with the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) arrested two suspects involved in inter-provincial drug trafficking during an intelligence-based operation in Gulistan-e-Jauhar.
Officials said 83 kilogrammes of high-quality hashish worth millions of rupees were recovered from the possession of the suspects. According to the Rangers, the arrested individuals were part of an organised gang involved in inter-provincial drug smuggling.
Investigations revealed that the gang’s ringleader illegally transported narcotics from Peshawar to Sukkur, from where the drugs were systematically moved to Karachi and supplied to various drug dealers across the city. The suspects were allegedly acting on the instructions of their handler in Karachi and, along with other accomplices, were involved in transporting narcotics from one location to another.
Authorities said the suspects were arrested while shifting drugs in a hi-roof vehicle to a secret location. Officials added that another accomplice of the group had previously been arrested and served time in jail.
The gang has reportedly been involved in repeatedly transporting and selling large quantities of narcotics in Karachi. During initial interrogation, the suspects made several sensational revelations about their network. Preliminary information also suggests that some government officials in Sindh may be involved in the illegal drug trade, the statement added.
Rangers urged the public to report criminal activities to the nearest Rangers check post or through the Rangers helpline 1101 or WhatsApp number 0347-9001111, assuring that the identity of informants would be kept confidential.
