LAHORE: The District Narcotics Control Squad (NCS), Kasur, claimed to have foiled a large-scale drug smuggling attempt during an intelligence-based operation conducted near Raiwind Chowk, leading to the arrest of two key suspects – a police official and a veterinarian – who were apprehended red-handed.

Reports said the Punjab Counter Narcotics Force had been closely monitoring the suspects through advanced surveillance and intelligence gathering.

The force arrested police constable Muhammad Zaman Tufail and notorious drug trafficker and veterinarian Aqib Raza.

During the operation, the CNF recovered 314.7 kilograms of high quality narcotics, expertly concealed inside two vehicles. The seized contraband is estimated to have a market value exceeding Rs70 million.

The recovered narcotics include 93kg opium and 221.7kg hashish.

According to the CNF, the preliminary investigations indicate that the suspects were transporting the narcotics from Multan for distribution across various localities in Lahore and Kasur, with a particular focus on supplying drugs to students in educational institutions.

The investigators said the police official allegedly acted as a facilitator, exploiting his official position to ensure the unhindered transportation of narcotics.

Published in Dawn, June 19th, 2026