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Afghan-origin doctor and policeman among eight arrested as police seize Rs900 million worth of meth
🇵🇰 Pakistan /Crime & Justice

Afghan-origin doctor and policeman among eight arrested as police seize Rs900 million worth of meth

From Dawn · () English

Translated from English and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • Karachi police and a federal civilian intelligence agency arrested eight alleged members of an international narcotics network during a raid on a warehouse in Mehran Town.
  • Officers recovered 50 kilograms of crystal meth valued at Rs900 million and said a larger shipment of 200 to 250 kilograms was intended for export.
  • Police identified alleged roles across the network, including supply from Balochistan, warehouse storage, couriers and financial intermediaries.

Police in Karachi say they have broken up an alleged international methamphetamine network after raiding a warehouse where crystal meth was hidden among crates of tiles and marble.

A narcotics task force, working with a federal civilian intelligence agency, arrested eight people during the intelligence-led operation in Mehran Town, Korangi, on Tuesday. West Deputy Inspector General of Police Irfan Ali Baloch said officers recovered 50 kilograms of “ice,” valued at Rs900 million, along with a car, two pistols and Rs350,000.

Baloch said the intercepted drugs formed part of a shipment weighing between 200 and 250 kilograms. The consignment was allegedly being prepared for export to the Philippines, while the broader network transported drugs in bulk to Malaysia and Thailand. Police estimated the full shipment’s destination-market value at $25 million to $30 million, or Rs6 billion to Rs8 billion.

Acting on credible information, the task force, in conjunction with the intelligence agency, established that the narcotics were being concealed in crates of tiles and marble at a warehouse in Mehran Town for export to the Philippines under the cover of a ‘legitimate’ consignment.

— Irfan Ali BalochThe Karachi police official described how officers located the suspected shipment.

According to Baloch, the network sourced the meth from Chaman in Balochistan and routed hawala transactions through Lahore. Overseas handlers were based in South Africa and Thailand, while the network maintained links in Karachi. More consignments were expected to arrive from Balochistan, he said.

Police identified Nazir Soomro as the principal accused, allegedly directing procurement, concealment and export. Shahid Mastoi allegedly managed the warehouse, and Sheikh Khalid allegedly provided storage and banking support. Dr Noor Ahmed Khilji and Garan Khan, both of Afghan origin and holders of Pakistani identity cards, allegedly arranged supplies from Balochistan. Abdullah, also known as Wahab, and police constable Mohammed Kamran allegedly worked as couriers, while Nasir acted as an intermediary and distributor.

A covert operation was mounted against an international network trafficking methamphetamine (ice) to Malaysia and the Philippines.

— Irfan Ali BalochHe characterized the operation and the suspected network’s export routes.
About this summary

Originally published by Dawn in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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