KARACHI, Oct 19: The excise police on Friday intercepted a truck laden with fruit cartons on National Highway near Sakrand and arrested two suspects following recovery of 3,200 kilograms of charas from the truck.

Stating this Sindh excise and taxation minister Rauf Siddiqui said the truck (E-1821) carrying peaches was coming from Mardan. The consignment was booked for one Ghulam Sarwar in New Sabzimandi. The police, on information, intercepted the truck and inspected the fruit cartons. On search, it was revealed that charas was concealed in cartons and wrapped neatly in plastic bags.

The police seized the truck and arrested Sahib Sultan and Zareen Akbar. The suspects were produced before the press.

Mr Siddiqui said the charas might be meant for its smuggling abroad, and its price in the international market was estimated at Rs1.5 billion (US$ 26.3 million).

Mr Siddiqui did not elaborate as to whether the excise had raided the shop in New Sabzimandi. He, however, promised to investigate the who matter and to bring all the culprits to book.

He said he intended for a reshuffle in the department and the officers showing good performance would be promoted and those with unsatisfactory results would be removed.