RAWALPINDI, June 3: After arresting an air hostess of PIA and her husband for trying to smuggle heroin, the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) has expanded the probe's scope after another steward was held in Karachi on Friday.

ANF's Colonel Mohammad Riaz, who is leading the probe, said a list of other suspected employees involved in the drug smuggling has been sent to the PIA, adding that a hunt was under way for arresting the drug supplier. But he insisted: “It will be too early to confirm how many employees are involved in drug smuggling.”

Anila Javaid Butt and her husband Idrees Khan, who is a steward in the airlines, were caught on Thursday night trying to smuggle 2.5 kg heroin on an Islamabad-Karachi flight PK-319.

On Friday the court sent Anila to Adiala Jail on judicial remand, while Idrees was given to ANF on a three-day remand.

Colonel Riaz said another PIA steward Rehmat Saeed was captured from Karachi. He was to accompany the couple on Thursday night but missed the flight and travelled to Karachi on PK-794.

Saeed was arrested after the couple revealed him as their accomplice involved in drug trafficking. The authorities said the consignment was to be smuggled to Barcelona. They said it was the sixth time that the couple was trying to smuggle heroin. Belonging to Sialkot, the air hostess married Idrees three years ago.

Civil Judge Malik Mohammad Ziaul Tariq Khokhar sent Anila to Adiala Jail on 14-day judicial remand. Before her shifting to jail, the judge also ordered her medical examination. The court granted ANF three-day remand of Idrees.

Anila told the court that her husband gave her the bag, saying it contained clothes. But when ASF searched the bag, they found narcotics, she said.

Idrees told the court that the bag was given to him by Saeed, a nephew of a former federal minister. He said Saeed asked him to transport the bag containing precious stones and hashish. Idrees said he was to get “precious gifts” once the bag was taken to Karachi.

ANF Investigation Officer Shakeel Chaudhry requested for the physical remand of Idrees, saying he had smuggled heroin abroad five times in collaboration with his accomplices. Idrees will be presented before the court on June 6.