LAHORE: The Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) busted a network using the online shopping platforms for drug trafficking across the country and arrested 11 suspects.

It also recovered 33 ready-to-deliver drug parcels from them.

The ANF acted on intelligence reports that the drug traffickers were operating the network through online apps to deliver narcotics to the customers and this new way of transportation of the drug was adopted being relatively secure.

According to the ANF spokesperson, 11 suspects had been arrested and the scope of investigations had also been expanded to further check online drug trafficking.

He said the seized drugs included 53kg hashish, 1.6kg ice [crystal meth], and 1.2kg of opium. The investigation revealed that the gang involved in drug smuggling through online applications was operating across the country, he added.

The ANF revealed that the arrested gang members had registered their companies on online shopping platforms and were supplying drugs to their consumers.

An official said the World Drug Report 2022 had unveiled that the people associated with the drug trafficking might use the internet as an attractive alternative to run the notorious business.

Released by the UN Office on Drug and Crime (UNODC), the report had stated that the anonymity and reduced risks of detention made the Internet relatively secure to distribute the banned substance.

Published in Dawn, October 18th, 2023