RAWALPINDI: The Anti-Narcotics Force seized 4.3 tons of narcotics, arrested 14 suspected smugglers and impounded five vehicles in different parts of the country.

The seizure included seven kilograms of heroin intercepted by the Airport Security Force at the Benazir Bhutto International Airport (BBIA) while it was being smuggled to Saudi Arabia.

The suspect carrying heroin was identified as Mubashir Hussain, a resident of Khushab, who was to board a Jeddah-bound Oman Air flight at the BBIA. According to an ANF press release on Monday, Mubashir was taken into custody.

Bilal Ahmed, a resident of Charsadda, was detained after he reportedly confessed to having swallowed heroin-filled capsules. He intended to proceed for Abu Dhabi by a PIA flight.

During the eight operations carried out by the ANF in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore, Okara, Hyderabad and Qilla Abdullah, 3.075 tons of opium, 1.25 tons of Charas and 8 kilograms of heroin were seized.

The seized drug is estimated to be valued at Rs7.06 billion in the international market. Most of the seized drug was intended to be smuggled abroad.

During an intelligence-based action conducted near Bahria Town in Rawalpindi, four vehicles were intercepted and 1,250kg of Charas was recovered them. Initial reports said the drug was being sent to Karachi.

Eight suspects were held.

Muhammad Zahoor, a resident of Khushab, was arrested at Allama Iqbal International Airport, Lahore, after one kilogram of heroin was found in his trolley bag. He was attempting to fly for Jeddah.

A car was stopped near Thokar Niaz Baig in Lahore and 19kg of opium was recovered from its secret cavities. An occupant of the car, Rehmat Ullah, a resident of Bajuar Agency, was held.

An alleged drug supplier, Samundar Khan, a resident of Okara, was detained and 2.2 kilograms of Charas was found in his possession. He was arrested near Lahore-Multan Bypass, Okara.

Zeeshan was arrested during a raid conducted in Pathan Colony in Hyderabad and 3kg of Charas was recovered from his possession.

The ANF Quetta raided a desolate area in Qilla Abdullah district and seized 3,056 kilograms of opium. The site was being guarded by armed men who fled the scene taking advantage of darkness after an exchange of fire with the ANF personnel.

Cases were registered against the suspects and investigations were under way.

Published in Dawn, January 19th, 2016