ISLAMABAD: The capital police have seized Ketamine worth Rs210 million and arrested five people, including a government official.

Ministry of Narcotics Control declared Ketamine a drug on Oct 15, they said.

According to a notification issued by the ministry, in exercise of the powers conferred by clause (za) of section 2 of the Control of Narcotic Substances Act 1997, the federal government is pleased to declare that Ketamine and its salts shall be a Psychotropic substance for the purposes of the said act and it shall be placed at serial No.39-A in schedule of CNS Act, 1997.

Officials of the capital police said Ketamine is expensive and extremely dangerous, as compared to ice and cocaine and available in powder form.

Ketamine is available in powder, they said, adding that the user make it in liquid form and dip cigarettes for use.

Most of the law enforcers and the authorities concerned are not aware of the drug, they said, adding that the Ketamine was seized first time in the history of Pakistan by the capital police.

A Shalimar police team intercepted five persons on suspicion and during their search recovered the powder weighing 30kg, they said, adding that during inquiry the suspects failed to give satisfactory reply and in response they were shifted to police station.

The issue was brought to the knowledge of Sub-Divisional Police Officer, who also inquired the matter, the officers said.

The accused told the police said they were bringing the 30kg consignment to Islamabad after it was smuggled to Pakistan from Afghanistan to sell the users in capital and further transport to Karachi.

They used to sell deliver and sold the drug to people residing in posh areas in vehicles, the officers said, adding that one of the arrested people was a government official and working in an office located at Constitution Avenue.

When IGP Islamabad Qazi Jameelur Rehman was asked about the drug smuggling and involvement of influential people, he said: “Yes, one government official has been arrested and investigations are underway. Whosoever found involved will be arrested and proceeded against.

Published in Dawn, October 26th, 2021