LAHORE: The Punjab Counter Narcotics Force (CNF) claims to have arrested 93 drug traffickers in intelligence-based operations carried out across the province during the last two weeks.

The crackdowns were carried out in the divisions of Lahore, Dera Ghazi Khan, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala, Faisalabad, Bahawalpur and Sargodha.

A CNF spokesperson said that 93 drug traffickers were arrested and 296 kilograms of narcotics were recovered, with an estimated value exceeding Rs53.4 million in the large-scale operations.

He said the recovered narcotics included hashish, opium, weed, crystal meth (Ice), poppy straw, cocaine, heroin and five litres of liquor.

The CNF also seized 13 pistols, two sub-machine guns (SMGs), four rifles and seven drones from the possession of the suspects, which were being used in their criminal activities.

According to CNF Director General Brigadier Mazhar Iqbal, the CNF’s real achievement lies not merely in the recovery of narcotics but in the effective dismantling of major drug trafficking networks operating across the province.

He said the force continues to carry out indiscriminate operations against drug traffickers through modern intelligence, professional expertise and a coordinated operational strategy.

Since becoming operational in August 2024, the Punjab CNF had recovered a total of 24.7 tonnes of narcotics with an estimated value exceeding Rs2.23 billion, he said.

“These achievements reflect the success of the chief minister’s zero-tolerance policy against narcotics, an effective enforcement strategy and strong coordination among law enforcement agencies”, the DG said.

Published in Dawn, August 5th, 2026