KARACHI: The Sindh police chief on Monday claimed that 77 out of 137 “top-tier drug dealers” had been arrested, and that law enforcement agencies were making all-out efforts to crack down on “gangs” involved in drug trafficking.

Inspector General of Police Ghulam Nabi Memon said this while speaking to journalists on the premises of the Sindh High Court (SHC), where he appeared before a two-judge bench comprising Justice Zulfiqar Ali Sangi and Justice Nisar Ahmed Bhambhro in a matter pertaining to the non-establishment of special courts under the Sindh Control of Narcotic Substances Act, 2024.

Responding to a question about the rising use of drugs in schools and colleges, the police chief said the force was actively working to curb narcotics.

IGP Memon further stated that the Special Branch had identified 137 “top-tier drug dealers” across Sindh, of whom 77 had already been apprehended, while efforts were under way to arrest the remaining suspects.

Earlier, the SHC division bench heard a case pertaining to the non-establishment of special courts and the appointment of judges under the new law — an issue that was earlier raised before the court during a bail application of a suspect.

On Monday, the court adjourned the hearing till July 31, after it was informed by the secretary of excise, taxation and narcotics control that the amendment bill was scheduled to be tabled in the provincial assembly the same day (July 28), and an undertaking was given that a separate notification under Section 27 of the Sindh Control of Narcotic Substances Act, 2024 would be issued.

Published in Dawn, July 29th, 2025