Karachi police unearth an international meth supply network with the arrest of two suspects, including a woman, and the recovery of nearly 20 kilograms of crystal meth, authorities announced on Friday. The operation, carried out by Landhi police on a tip-off, has exposed what officials describe as a family-based cartel with links to Afghanistan.
Speaking at a press conference in Karachi, East Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Dr Farrukh Ali said the two suspects were apprehended after police received intelligence about their activities. Officers seized 19.56 kilograms of methamphetamine, commonly known as ice or crystal meth, from their possession. The DIG identified the network as an organised operation that smuggled high-quality drugs from Afghanistan through multiple routes into Lahore and other parts of Punjab, from where the narcotics were distributed to Karachi and other regions of the country.
DIG Dr Ali stated that the suspects were in contact with a notorious Afghan drug dealer known as Sabir Afghan. He claimed the arrested individuals belonged to an Afghanistan-linked network of drug dealers who supplied narcotics in Karachi and across Pakistan. The senior official alleged that the cartel was essentially a family-based operation whose linchpin was a woman named Mehwish, who resides in Lahore. According to the DIG, Mehwish used to supply high-quality ice from Afghanistan, which was then distributed throughout the country.
The arrested woman is Mehwish’s sister-in-law, Dr Ali said, adding that the woman’s husband supplied the ice while she distributed it to customers. “This family consists of working- or middle-class people,” the DIG noted, revealing that one member of the cartel was recently arrested by the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF). He said further investigation was under way to obtain information from the suspects about their drug network and accomplices.
The Karachi police unearth operation has once again highlighted the growing challenge of methamphetamine trafficking in Pakistan, with officials pointing to cross-border connections and sophisticated distribution channels. The case also underscores the involvement of family-based networks that operate with high levels of secrecy to evade law enforcement.
In a lighter vein, DIG Dr Ali said the family-based cartel could be dubbed “Pinky Two,” as it had maintained the same level of secrecy as Anmol, alias Pinky, who is currently facing trial in Karachi. Anmol was arrested in May in connection with two cases registered at the Garden police station. The comparison drew attention to the recurring nature of such networks and the challenges faced by authorities in dismantling them.
The arrest of the two suspects and the seizure of a substantial quantity of methamphetamine mark a significant achievement for Karachi police in their ongoing efforts to curb drug trafficking. However, the DIG’s remarks suggest that the network’s reach extends beyond the city, requiring continued investigation and coordination with other law enforcement agencies. As the probe continues, authorities hope to uncover more details about the cartel’s operations and bring other members to justice.
Source: Dawn News