Tons of narcotics burnt in capital

The narcotics destroyed 14,090kg of heroin, 64,691kg of hashish, 57,643 kg of opium among other kinds of drugs

ISLAMABAD: A large quantity of narcotics seized in various operations was burnt here at the federal capital on Thursday.  The Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) destroyed a total of 345 tons of narcotics in Quetta, Lahore, Karachi and Islamabad. The narcotics destroyed included 14,090kg of heroin, 64,691kg of hashish, 57,643 kg of opium among other kinds of drugs. The drugs were burnt in a ceremony in the suburbs of the capital. State Minister for Interior and Narcotics Control Balighur Rehman said “Afghanistan is the major drug producing country of the world and due to a common border, Pakistan has been its worst victim.” ANF Director General Maj Gen Khawar Hanif said during 2014-2015, ANF registered 1,337 cases, apprehended 1,642 persons including 71 foreigners, busted 42 drug trafficking gangs. Hanif said the 345 tons of drugs approximately valued at $2.25 billion in the international market.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 16^th, 2015.