WATCH: Drugs hidden in guava crates seized near Islamabad toll plaza

ANF intercepted a passenger bus and discovered 14.4 kilograms of drugs concealed in crates of guavas.


News Desk January 07, 2025

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Authorities thwarted an attempt to smuggle drugs disguised as guava cargo near the Islamabad Toll Plaza on Monday.

Acting on an intelligence tip-off, the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) intercepted a passenger bus and discovered 14.4 kilograms of drugs concealed in crates of guavas. The crates had been shipped via a cargo service by an individual identified as Bilal Jan, officials confirmed.

Preliminary investigations suggest Jan is linked to an interprovincial drug trafficking network, which allegedly uses cargo buses to transport narcotics across cities.

“The seized drugs are now in custody, and further investigations are underway to apprehend all involved,” an ANF spokesperson stated.

Authorities are ramping up efforts to dismantle organised smuggling rings operating in the region.

More than 101 kg of narcotics seized in six ANF operations

The Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) carried out six successful operations across the country, leading to the arrest of seven suspects and the recovery of more than 101 kg of drugs, valued at Rs24.4 million, a spokesperson for the force announced on Saturday.

The operations included the seizure of 2 kg of ice from a passenger’s trolley bag at Islamabad International Airport, as the individual was about to board a flight to Bahrain.

Additionally, 1,060 grams of heroin was found in the possession of a passenger at Karachi International Airport, who was en route to Jeddah.

In Balochistan, authorities recovered a substantial haul of drugs, including 25 kg of opium and 7 kg of heroin, from an uninhabited area in Hub District.

A fourth operation in Islamabad led to the recovery of 24 kg of hashish from a vehicle intercepted near the Tablighi Markaz on Srinagar Highway, with two suspects arrested in connection with the drug find.

Another 24 kg of hashish, concealed in a vehicle, was discovered near G.T. Road in Islamabad, while in Peshawar, the ANF recovered 18 kg of hashish hidden in a vehicle near Ring Road.

Cases have been filed against the arrested individuals under the Narcotics Control Act, and further investigations are ongoing.

Earlier, ANF seized narcotics worth over Rs200 million in a series of operations targeting drug smuggling and sales across the country. Three suspects, including a woman, were arrested during the raids.

The ANF conducted five operations, recovering a total of 287.74kg of drugs.

In Hazarganji, Quetta, 231kg of morphine was found in an uninhabited area. Meanwhile, 35kg of opium, 12kg of crystal meth, and 6kg of heroin were seized near Goth Lakha, Lasbela.

In another raid near Islamabad’s Saiyam 1 Motorway, 3kg of crystal meth was discovered hidden in a vehicle’s compartments. At Iqbal Shaheed Toll Plaza, Attock, two separate operations led to the arrest of suspects with 740 grams of crystal meth.

The ANF confirmed that cases have been registered under the Anti-Narcotics Act, and investigations are ongoing. Officials emphasised their commitment to dismantling drug trafficking networks nationwide.

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