Police officials embroiled in drug scandal

Suspects found in possession of large amount of cash

LAHORE:

The age-old question, "Quis custodiet ipsos custodes - Who will guard the guards?" attributed to a Roman poet centuries ago still resonates, especially in Pakistan, when addressing the conduct of powerful individuals. Recent events have brought this question to the forefront, as two police officers, including the head of an Anti-Narcotics Unit in Lahore, were discovered to be involved in drug dealing.

One officer of the rank of SHO stands accused of accepting Rs30 million bribe to protect drug dealers. Additionally, approximately Rs80 million in cash and a substantial quantity of Ice drug worth millions were reportedly seized from an inspector who served as the head of the Anti-Narcotics Unit in Lahore.

This scandal came to light when cases of drug smuggling via drones from India into the Kahna area were reported several weeks ago. Given the cross-border nature of the drug smuggling, particularly with India, higher authorities and investigative agencies, notably the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF), were alerted.

Several suspects, including a police officer working in a district administration office, were arrested in connection with the smuggling.

During interrogations, one of the suspects revealed that an officer from the Lahore police had not only confiscated a substantial quantity of drugs from him but had also taken into custody drugs valued at over Rs80 million.

Following this lead, an ANF team conducted a raid on a darbar near Kahna, located near the border and within the district of Kasur.

Based on a tip-off, ANF established a checkpoint on Barki Road. Late at night, they spotted a suspicious vehicle that sped away when signaled to stop. After a chase, police intercepted the vehicle, arresting the driver. They discovered Rs80 million in cash, a significant amount of drugs worth hundreds of millions, a drone and other items, per the FIR.

The fleeing suspect was identified as Inspector Mazhar Iqbal, who was the head of the Anti-Narcotics Unit of Lahore Police.

Subsequently, Inspector Mazhar went into hiding but recently spoke to the media from an undisclosed location, alleging a conspiracy by his opponents within the department to implicate him. However, he failed to explain how an individual serving in the police could influence the ANF and spend over Rs80 million and drugs worth millions to frame him.

In another case, former SHO Ashgar Maitla was arrested for allegedly accepting a Rs30 million bribe to record a lower quantity of drugs seized in a case. Senior officers took notice of the incident and ordered an inquiry when the matter surfaced on social media. Instead of cooperating with the inquiry committee, Maitla went into hiding and was arrested two days ago.

During Pakistan's economic crisis, the illegal drug trade is booming. Economic sectors are suffering, and there's a rise in anxiety and depression, leading to more drug addicts. In August, 85 addicts died in Lahore. Anti-drug activist Syed Zulfiqar Hussain predicts a doubling of addicts in Lahore by 2026.

The drug trade has become a significant part of the black economy, especially in recent times when the country's socioeconomic and political situation has been dire.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 12^th, 2023.