18 July 2004	Sunday	29 Jamadi-ul-Awwal 1425

KARACHI, July 17: The Excise detectives on Saturday thwarted an attempt of heroin smuggling and recovered seven kg good quality contraband powder alongwith 10 kg opium from Hub River road being brought to Karachi.

Giving details at a press briefing, the advisor to Chief Minister, M.A. Jalil, told newsmen that the seized contraband was worth Rs35 million.

The advisor said that the suspected jeep bearing registration No BB-7521, bound for Karachi from Balochistan, was apprehended on Hub River road at 4am on a tip-off received by Divisional Intelligence Officer Aslam Jatoi.

He said on seeing the excise staff drawing closer, the inmates abandoned the jeep and made good their escape while taking advantage of the dark.

He said a search of the jeep yielded seven kg of fine quality heroin concealed in its secret cavities alongwith 10 kg opium.

He said that according to markings on the heroin packets, the contraband was manufactured in Jalalabad and the opium was brought from Kalat.

According to initial investigations, the advisor said, the jeep belonged to Syed Rasool Shah, a resident of street No P-19, Hingorabad, Kalri. He hailed from Mianwali and had purchased the jeep in an auction.

M.A. Jalil referred to the existence of narcotic and liquor dens in the city, and said there was a greater need for cooperation between police and excise departments for their elimination.-APP