Recently, the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) successfully conducted four operations. They seized 81 kg of drugs and arrested six individuals. According to a spokesman from ANF Headquarters, in one operation, authorities confiscated 12 kg of opium and 21.6 kg of hashish from a vehicle near Kala Shah Kaku Toll Plaza in Sheikhupura. They arrested one suspect during this operation.
In two separate operations by the Anti-Narcotics Force in Sialkot, authorities recovered 26.4 kg of hashish and 10.6 kg of opium. They arrested three individuals in these operations. In a fourth operation, authorities found 1.4 kg of hashish in the possession of a suspect near F-7 in Islamabad. They have charged all arrested individuals under the Anti-Narcotics Act, and further investigations are underway.
Earlier Operations
In earlier operations across Pakistan, the ANF seized a total of 574 kg of drugs and detained six suspects. During these operations, authorities discovered 1.6 kg of crystal meth (ice) at a courier office in Lahore. The crystal meth was found in two parcels destined for France and Saudi Arabia. Additionally, they recovered 56 heroin-filled capsules from a passenger bound for Jeddah, who was apprehended at Peshawar Airport.
The ANF intercepted a vehicle at Chungi No. 26 in Islamabad. They seized 273.6 kg of hashish, 85 kg of heroin, 68.4 kg of opium, and 1.5 kg of crystal meth (ice). Two suspects were arrested in this operation.
Authorities also apprehended one suspect and recovered 64 kg of hashish and 19.2 kg of opium from a vehicle near Ring Road in Peshawar. Additionally, they seized 60 kg of hashish from a vehicle on Khanewal Road in Multan. This operation led to the arrest of two individuals.
The government of Pakistan launched a national drug survey in 2022 and expects to release the findings in 2024. The previous survey, conducted in 2012-13, revealed that around 6 percent of the population, approximately 6.7 million people, had used substances other than alcohol and tobacco in the prior year.
