ISLAMABAD, Feb 13: The Supreme Court on Tuesday issued warrants of arrest for three former members of the Balochistan Assembly for their alleged involvement in a multi-million-rupee drugs smuggling case.

A three-member bench of the apex court issued the warrants against Ishaq Baloch, Allah Dad Murad and Ghulam Mohammed Baloch in an appeal filed by the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF).

ANF’s counsel Dr Babar Awan argued that cases against the three persons had been pending hearing in different courts for 17 years. The Balochistan High Court had discharged them while giving them the benefit of the long period, he said, adding that this was illegal.

The bench directed the district police officer in Dalbandin sub-division of Chaghi to arrest the three accused and produce them before the court on the next date of hearing.

Dr Awan also requested the court to take action against Haji Sakhe Jan Nothezai and Haji Ali Mohammed Nothezai who were also involved in the case, according to the FIR lodged by the ANF.

The case was adjourned for two weeks.

The ANF claims that the case involves the recovery of the largest quantity of drugs -- 1,741kg heroin, 47,967kg Charas and 255kg opium -- in the history of the country. Two government employees were also killed in the smuggling bid.—Online/APP