LAHORE, May 21: The Airport Security Force (ASF) arrested on Sunday its deputy assistant director for abetting drug traffickers and handed him over to the Customs for interrogation.

An official associated with the arrest told Dawn Deputy Assistant Director Malik Riaz was taken into custody on the directive of the ASF chief security officer at Allama Iqbal International Airport, Col Farhat Pervaiz Kiyani (retired).

He said Riaz had been under surveillance for three months after intelligence reports that he had developed contacts with drug peddlers. The official said Riaz’s physical movement and telephone call data and financial transactions were also put under observation and he was arrested only after ASF officials found sufficient evidence against him.

He said the official was helping a passenger smuggle narcotics from the airport. He said Riaz was extensively interrogated by ASF officials and then handed over to Customs officials for further interrogation.

The official said if found guilty in the inquiry the official would face strict disciplinary actions under the Pakistan Army Act of 1952.

HEROIN SEIZED: The Airport Security Force seized 4.3kg heroin worth millions from the luggage of a passenger at the Allama Iqbal International Airport on Monday.

According to the ASF spokesman, suspect Zafar Iqbal of Township was leaving for Dubai via PK-203 when the officials found heroin in his luggage. He said the suspect was being interrogated.