RAWALPINDI: The Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) during its countrywide operations on Tuesday seized 1.557 tonnes of narcotics valuing Rs 1.11 billion. The anti-drug force also arrested 33 drug peddlers and impounded seven vehicles, while conducting 22 counter-narcotics strikes across the country. The seized drugs comprised 1,548kg of hashish, 8.7kg of heroin and 750 gram of amphetamine. According to details, ANF Quetta intercepted a vehicle on RCD Road near Zero Point in Lasbla and confiscated 1,500kg of hashish, which was being smuggled to Karachi. Sohrab, a resident of Karachi, was also arrested during the operation. Similarly, ANF Rawalpindi intercepted a near Faizabad in Islamabad and recovered 3kg of hashish hidden under the driving seat and front seat of the vehicle. Resultantly, two accused identified as Ali Raza Qadri and Muhammad Amir were arrested. In another operation, ANF Rawalpindi arrested Firdos Khan, a resident of Peshawar, and recovered 5kg of hashish from him. In yet another operation, ANF Rawalpindi arrested 2 Nigerian nationals – Onyedikachukwu Okaibe and Jennifer Ijeoma – at New Islamabad International Airport and recovered 1.796kg of heroin which was concealed in their bags. They were travelling to Nigeria. In fourth operation, ANF Rawalpindi intercepted a vehicle near Katchehri Chowk, Rawalpindi and recovered 4.5kg of hashish, 20 ecstasy tablets and weapons. Resultantly, four drug peddlers identified as Aneel Choudhry, Kashif Asghar, Ahsan Nawaz and Syed Ibrar Hussain were arrested. Moreover, ANF Lahore arrested two passengers at Faisalabad International Airport and recovered 1.585kg of heroin concealed in their bags. Both were travelling to Saudi Arabia by Flight No NL-773. In another operation, ANF Lahore arrested Muhammad Saleem, a resident of Sahiwal, and Muhammad Shafique, a resident of Faisalabad, at Allama Iqbal International Airport. The duo has swallowed 860 grams of heroin. In third operation, ANF Lahore intercepted a Saudi-bound parcel at at Allama Iqbal international Airport, Lahore and seized 3.075kg of heroin. In its fourth operation, ANF Lahore seized 1kg of Hashish and 200 gram of heroin from a man identified as Wasoo Mai, a resident of Muzaffargarh. He was arrested near Multan DG Khan Road, Muzaffargarh. In yet another strike, ANF Lahore arrested Zahid Irfan, a resident of Mandi Bahauddin, near Government Primary School Lak, Mandi Bahauddin and recovered 650 gram of hashish from him. Another accused, Muhammad Ashfaq was arrested from Faisalabad International Airport. Around 470 gram of heroin was recovered from his luggage. He was boarding for Saudi Arabia by flight No NL.773. Furthermore, ANF Peshawar in three separate operations arrested three people, including Dayan Ullah Khattak, Naqib Ullah and Anwar Kamal from Peshawar International Airport and recovered 1.65kg, 1.65kg and 1.15kg of hashish from their hand bags, respectively. All the accused were to fly for Sharjah by Shaheen Airlines Flight No NL-792. ANF Peshawar arrested another drug peddler from Peshawar International Airport and recovered 750 gram of amphetamine which was concealed in a shoe brush and perfume spray. The accused was travelling to Riyadh. In third operation, ANF Peshawar recovered 1.2kg of hashish from an accused near Motorway Toll Plaza, Peshawar. A courier-office based in Karachi handed over a suspicious parcel to ANF Karachi. During search of the parcel 700 gram of heroin was recovered. The parcel was booked from Hyderabad to UK. In another operation, ANF Karachi intercepted a vehicle near Super Highway and recovered 15kg of hashish from the vehicle. Three people onboard the vehicle were arrested during the operation. In another strike in the same area, ANF intercepted a car near and recovered 5kg of hashish from the secret cavities of the vehicle. Two people onboard identified as Aziz Khan and Muhammad Ayaz Khan were arrested. In fourth operation, ANF Karachi arrested an accused near Bismillah New Salateen Hotel, Hindu Para, Shireen Jinnah Colony, Karachi and recovered 1.3kg of hashish from him. Besides, ANF Karachi arrested three people and recovered 2.5kg of Hashish from them. They were arrested near Fateh Chowk, Hyderabad. All cases have been registered at respective ANF police stations and further investigation was underway. Published in Daily Times, May 30th 2018.