KARACHI: The Special Investigation Unit (SIU) on Saturday claimed to have arrested an alleged supplier of crystal methamphetamine, commonly known as ice, and an extortionist in separate actions in the metropolis.

The SIU and a federal civilian intelligence agency, acting on a tip-off, jointly carried out an operation at the Lyari riverbed and arrested the narcotics dealer in an injured condition after an “encounter”.

“The arrested suspect is a notorious dealer of heroin and crystal meth in the city,” claimed SIU Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Dr Samiullah Soomro.

“He has been in the narcotics business since 2019 along with his two brothers,” he said.

In 2019, the suspect was arrested by the Site Superhighway Industrial Area police and sent to jail in connection with a robbery case. After being released from jail, he, along with his brothers, started selling drugs in New Karachi, near 4-K Chowrangi, Allah Wali Chowrangi, Power House, and the surrounding areas.

Separately, the SIU also arrested an alleged extortionist near People’s Chowrangi in Jamshed Quarters.

“The arrested suspect is a member of an extortion gang led by Sameer, who is the son of ex-gang leader Mama Bashir,” said the SIU SSP.

“This gang is operating in District East and is involved in collecting extortion from wine shops, biryani centres, cardboard factories, printing presses, and various other businesses,” the officer added.

The arrested suspect and his gang were also involved in drug trafficking and multiple street crimes, he further said.

In October 2025, Karachi’s business community expressed serious concerns over an alarming surge in cases of extortion.

Citing reports, the Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (Kati) provided a breakdown of the 96 extortion cases registered in 2025, with District Central being the most affected (37 cases), followed by District West (20), District East (15), and District City (12). The data also indicated five cases in Malir and three in Korangi.

In December, Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hasan Lanjar said five major extortion networks operating from abroad were active in Karachi and that efforts were underway to have their ringleaders extradited and arrested.

He had identified the ringleaders of the five networks as Wasiullah Lakho, Jameel Changa, Bahadur PMT, Gul Sher Jagirani and Azeem.