Karachi: Task Force Karachi and a federal civilian intelligence agency have arrested eight suspects and seized more than 50 kilogrammes of ice (crystal methamphetamine) during a joint operation against an international drug trafficking network in Korangi Industrial Area.
Addressing a news conference at his office on Tuesday Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIGP) West Zone, Irfan Baloch said the operation was conducted on intelligence-based information within the limits of Korangi Industrial Area police station and led to the unearthing of an organised international network allegedly involved in concealing and smuggling consignments of crystal methamphetamine and ketamine.
He said the arrested suspects were identified as Nazir Soomro, allegedly the network’s mastermind and the person responsible for dispatching drug consignments; Shahid Mastoi, who allegedly managed a warehouse; Sheikh Khalid, who allegedly provided premises for storing drugs and a bank account for local financial transactions; and Noor Khan and Gran Khan, both Afghan nationals holding Pakistani National Identity Cards, who allegedly facilitated the supply of crystal methamphetamine from Balochistan.
The DIGP informed that Nasir Ali was also arrested for allegedly facilitating the transportation of the drugs.
He said more than 50 kg of crystal methamphetamine was recovered from the arrested suspects.
DIGP Irfan Baloch said during further investigation, two more suspects, identified as Muhammad Kamran, a Malir police constable, and Abdullah alias Arif, were arrested for allegedly providing a 10kg sample of crystal methamphetamine. Two pistols were also recovered from the suspects.
He said Shah Ji, who was allegedly responsible for supplying crystal methamphetamine from Balochistan and receiving payments through the hundi system, and Waqar Hussain were among the absconding suspects.
Irfan Baloch said cases have been registered against the arrested suspects at the Special Investigation Unit (SIU) police station and legal proceedings have been initiated.
He said further investigation was underway, while raids were being conducted at various locations to arrest the absconding suspects and trace other facilitators of the alleged international drug trafficking network.
Task Force Karachi has intensified operations against organised and international drug trafficking networks, he concluded.
