Islamabad: The Pakistan Navy, in a joint counter-narcotics operation with Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF), seized more than Rs1.8 billion (US$11.2 million) of illegal substances, preventing illicit drugs reaching the local and international markets.
The operation was conducted in the Arabian Sea off the country’s coasts in the Baluchistan area of Jiwani on Friday, officials said.
Nearly 300kg of narcotics including crystal methamphetamine were recovered, according to the navy statement. The drugs were to be smuggled to unknown destination through the Arabian Sea. The seized drugs were handed over to the ANF for further legal proceedings.
Security in the region
“The successful execution of joint anti-narcotics operation is a demonstration of the Pakistan Navy’s resolve to counter illegal activities in the maritime zones of the country and promote maritime security in the region”, the statement added.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s anti-narcotics agency in a December 11 statement said that it seized 1,296kg of narcotics valuing US$89 million internationally, arrested 16 culprits and confiscated 14 vehicles in 21 counter-narcotics raids across the country. The huge cache of drugs included hashish, heroin, opium, methamphetamine (ice) and morphine.
The official statement added that some of the illicit drugs were being smuggled Afghanistan to Pakistan while other drugs were destined from Lahore to Milan (Italy) via Doha. In another operation, security forces intercepted bid to smuggle heroin from Lahore to UK. Officials also foiled an attempt to smuggle 105kg opium to Canada and arrested one person from Lahore.
Living up to its motto of “drug free society”, ANF says it is committed to end the scourge of drug addiction in the country. During a recent meeting held at ANF headquarters in Rawalpindi, the director general Major Gen. Muhammad Arif Malik endorsed stringent measures against drug use in educational institutions and directed the agency to accelerate the anti-narcotics operations across Pakistan.
Drugs seized in numbers
• Pakistan Navy and ANF seized US$11.2 million drugs
• ANF seized 1,296kg of narcotics worth US$89 million in 21 counter-narcotics operations
• 16 arrested and 14 vehicles confiscated
