KARACHI: Customs apprehended a diplomat, who held a service passport, with contraband marijuana weighing about one and a half maunds at the Karachi Airport.

This led to the arrest of a Pakistani national, Umer Khan, who had allegedly supplied him marijuana earlier at a local hotel. The diplomat was let off when he claimed diplomatic immunity yesterday [Sept 15].

The Customs Anti-Smuggling party investigating the case made no comments about it when contacted.

It is, however, learnt that the Pakistani national, Umer Khan, is a retired Head Constable of Police. He has been a personal gunman of the ex-President of Pakistan, Mr Iskander Mirza. He served with foreigners for quite some time before taking to smuggling of narcotics. He was arrested about three years ago in another smuggling case in which a diplomatic mission was also involved.

It is stated that the accused came in contact with the diplomat at Islamabad to whom he was introduced by a Bank Manager.

The Customs has collected enough material against the accused and other arrests are likely to take place in connection with this international narcotic smuggling racket.

Published in Dawn, September 16th, 2019