Lahore: Punjab Counter Narcotics Force (CNF), in collaboration with the Intelligence Bureau (IB), has dismantled a major inter-provincial crystal meth (Ice) smuggling network, arresting four suspects, including the alleged kingpin, and recovering 15 kilograms of high-grade narcotics worth an estimated Rs23 million during a 72-hour intelligence-based operation. According to a spokesperson, the operation was carried out under the Chief Minister Punjab’s ‘Drug-Free Punjab’ initiative and successfully disrupted a narcotics supply chain allegedly transporting Ice from Quetta to educational institutions across Punjab.
The operation began when the Strike Team of the Narcotics Control Station (NCS), Multan, acting on credible intelligence, arrested a suspected drug trafficker, Aslam, along with an accomplice and recovered 10 kilograms of high-grade Ice from their possession. During interrogation, investigators allegedly uncovered the network’s operations, revealing that the narcotics had been smuggled from Gulistan in Balochistan and were intended for distribution in major educational institutions across the province.
Acting on the information obtained, CNF and IB launched the second phase of the operation using technical surveillance and human intelligence. The teams traced and arrested the alleged kingpin, Aman Ullah, a resident of Pakpattan, along with his alleged facilitator and driver, Rizwan, in Multan.
Authorities recovered an additional five kilograms of Ice from their possession, raising the total seizure to 15 kilograms, with an estimated international market value of Rs23 million. Preliminary investigations suggest that Aman Ullah allegedly managed the narcotics distribution network across the Multan and Sahiwal divisions and maintained financial and supply links with two alleged Quetta-based drug traffickers, identified as Lala and Nasrullah.
The CNF spokesperson termed the operation a major blow to criminal elements attempting to target educational institutions and endanger the future of Punjab’s youth. Reaffirming the force’s zero-tolerance policy against drug trafficking, the spokesperson said the Punjab Counter Narcotics Force would continue intelligence-led operations against narcotics networks and appreciated the professionalism and dedication of the officers and personnel who participated in the successful operation.