Police claimed to have taken into custody more than 70 drug addicts and six narcotics dealers from Quetta's main nullah on Tuesday.

Abdullah Afridi, a senior police officer, told DawnNews that police also destroyed several safe havens established by peddlers inside the nullah during the operation.

Two female addicts were among the 70 taken into custody from the nullah, which police said had been serving as a shelter for both dealers and addicts.

Afridi said the arrested addicts would be handed over to a rehabilitation centre.

"Their rehabilitation is our top priority", he added.

A large number of baton-wielding police personnel participated in the operation.

"We did not face any resistance during the operation", Afridi said.

Police also set the tents set up in the area on fire to discourage users from returning.