Women-led drug gang busted in Peshawar

Police uncover eight-year-long narcotics network, supplying ice, heroin, and hashish

PESHAWAR:

In a shocking revelation, Peshawar police have dismantled a women-led gang involved in the distribution of hashish-laced cigarettes, ice, heroin, and hashish to students, social media influencers, and other groups.

The gang, consisting of five women, had been operating covertly in the city for the past eight years, targeting students, college-goers, street vendors, and social media influencers.

According to police sources, the gang sold hashish-filled cigarettes for Rs300 and small quantities of other narcotics in city markets, near railway crossings, and along busy lanes. 

Each member reportedly earned up to Rs10,000 daily by supplying token-sized doses, making these drugs easily accessible to young people across Peshawar.

“The women disguised themselves as ordinary citizens, allowing them to operate unnoticed for years,” said CCPO Dr Mian Saeed, who led the special police team responsible for the crackdown. “They targeted the youth to ruin their future by luring them into addiction.”

Records indicate that members of the gang had prior criminal cases registered against them in six different police stations across Peshawar. However, after brief stints in jail, they resumed their illicit operations, exploiting gaps in the enforcement system.

Police confirmed that the women often positioned themselves near educational institutions, railway crossings, and main roads during school and college hours, selling drugs to students who brought money for daily expenses. Small doses of ice and hashish were sold for Rs200–300, allowing easy access for vulnerable youth.

Saeed added that investigations were ongoing to trace the masterminds behind the supply chain. “After tackling the city’s land-grabbing mafias, Peshawar will not be a safe haven for drug dealers. We are committed to bringing all those involved to justice,” he said.

The case has sparked alarm over the growing trend of drug use among students and highlights the innovative methods criminal networks are using to exploit urban youth. Authorities have urged parents and educators to remain vigilant and report suspicious activities in their neighborhoods.