Drug bust: ANF recovers huge cache of chemicals used to make heroin

A raid was conducted on a container, arrived from Hong Kong

KARACHI: The Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) claims to have foiled a smuggling bid in the city by recovering a huge cache of acetic anhydride - the main ingredient for making heroin - while also recovering a large quantity of hashish in separate raid.

ANF officials and personnel, conducted an intelligence-based operation and intercepted a container which arrived from Hong Kong at the International Container Terminal, Karachi and was to be sent to Afghanistan. The ANF recovered 16,200 kilogrammes of acetic anhydride, a chemical which is the main ingredient needed to make heroin, in 600 Jerry cans. The force's spokesperson said that a case has been registered and raids are being conducted in various areas of the country to apprehend the people involved in the crime. This was the second recovery of acetic anhydride from the city, as earlier in January the Customs authorities seized a container in Karachi with over 21 metric tons of acetic anhydride, which is also a major component used in making improvised explosive devices. The chemical had arrived from Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania. The amount of contraband confiscated is said to be worth more than Rs860 million.



In a separate incident, ANF officials intercepted an oil tanker on the main Hub River Road after receiving a tip-off. The spokesperson claimed they have recovered 4,000 kg of high quality hashish, adding that the huge consignment was not only destined for local use in Karachi but also to other cities of the province, mainly targeting the younger generation.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 18^th,  2016.