Five Nigerian nationals held over narcotics peddling

OCU Kishwar disclosed recovery of drugs worth millions of rupees

LAHORE:

Five Nigerian nationals, part of an international drug peddling network operating in Pakistan using postal and online taxi services, have been apprehended.

DIG Organised Crime Unit (OCU) Imran Kishwar disclosed this during a press briefing at his office, revealing the recovery of drugs worth millions of rupees.

According to Imran, the suspects not only utilized online taxi apps and postal services but also employed techniques to enhance the potency of the drugs.

For instance, they would mix cocaine with brown sugar and a chemical to intensify the drug's effects, posing severe health risks to users. Additionally, the suspects utilised fake identities on social media platforms for their illicit activities.

The OCU teams faced significant challenges in dismantling these networks due to the elaborate chain of operations and the use of false identities.

Imran highlighted the complexity of the investigations, mentioning the detention of over 18 riders and the analysis of numerous CCTV footages.

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the Punjab Police reported over 14,000 raids on drug dealers' hideouts across various districts, resulting in the seizure of substantial quantities of narcotics.

Notably, in the last 24 hours alone, 321 raids were conducted, leading to the registration of 138 cases and the arrest of 141 suspects.

Seizures included 61 kilogrammes of hashish, 2454 liters of alcohol, and other drugs.

IG Punjab Dr Usman Anwar emphasized the need to accelerate targeted operations against drug dealers across all districts, underscoring the importance of holding those responsible for jeopardizing the youth's future accountable.

He stressed the importance of delivering strict punishments to offenders through the judicial system.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 16^th, 2024.