RAWALPINDI, July 29: After the arrest of three men, including two brothers — one Airport Security Force (ASF) and the other a Punjab police official for trying to smuggle 6 Kg of heroin to China — the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) have been considering to expand their network from the International passenger’s Departure Lounge to the airport Apron (aircraft stairs), at Benazir Bhutto International Airport, Dawn has learnt.

When contacted, an official of the ANF confirmed: “Yes, we have been seriously considering expanding our network from departure lounge (concourse hall) to the airport apron (right at the aircraft stairs) so that the smuggling of narcotics by the airport officials could be checked.”

The source said the ANF’s consideration would be put to the concerned authorities for approval and later the deployment of the personnel would be made.

The move came after yesterday’s arrests of three men, including an ASF official and his brother associated with Punjab police and a private person.

The arrests were made by ANF in the light of intelligence that two men would come to G-11 sector to deliver a consignment of narcotics to another man. As the two persons, who later turned out to be ASF and Punjab police officials came there, they were captured by the ANF officials, who had been waiting for them.

During investigation, the two arrested law enforcement officials revealed that some more quantity of narcotics was also lying in the hotel, where the younger brother of the ASF official was staying.

According to the ANF sources, the ASF official had been fully involved in drug trafficking, as he got Rs1 million to Rs1.2 million for handing over one consignment to the trafficker, right at the aircraft’s stairs.—Staff Reporter

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