KARACHI: An international drug trafficking network operating out of Karachi was successfully dismantled in a joint intelligence-led operation by the Karachi Task Force and a federal sensitive agency in the Korangi Industrial Area. The raid led to the arrest of eight key suspects and the seizure of over 50 kilograms of high-purity crystal methamphetamine (Ice), valued between PKR 800 to 900 million in the international market, alongside two pistols.
Briefing the media, DIG West Irfan Baloch revealed that the syndicate utilized sophisticated cover methods, concealing the lethal drugs inside shipments of tiles sent via sea routes to international destinations like the Philippines and Malaysia. The network, which manufactured the drugs locally, involved varied professional backgrounds. The apprehended individuals include Nazeer Soomro as the alleged mastermind, warehouse manager Shahid Mastoi, and financial facilitator Sheikh Khalid. The operation also caught Afghan nationals Noor Khan and Ghran Khan who held Pakistani identity cards and managed supplies from Balochistan, alongside logistics facilitator Nasir Ali, civilian co-conspirator Abdullah alias Arif, and active-duty Malir police constable Muhammad Kamran.
Authorities have registered cases at the SIU police station against the arrested suspects, while two others—identified as Shah Ji, a Balochistan supplier and Hawala operator, and Waqar Hussain—remain at large. Law enforcement agencies are conducting further raids to capture the fugitives and track down remaining facilitators tied to this transnational narcotics ring.
