Investigation revealed alleged misconduct and bribery involving officers tasked with handling drug seizures
In December, the Special Investigation Unit (SIU) of the Karachi police suspended officers investigating a case involving the alleged sale of part of a consignment of 508 kg of drugs, worth Rs.280 million, seized during an earlier operation that led to 14 arrests. The SIU launched an investigation headed by West Zone Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) Irfan Ali Baloch.
On December 1, Sindh Home Minister Zia-ul-Hasan Lanjar, Revenue Minister Mukesh Kumar Chawla, AIG Karachi Javed Alam Odho, DIG West Irfan Baloch and DIG CIA announced a major drug seizure in a joint press conference. The shipment allegedly included 468 kg of hashish and 40 kg of crystal meth. Officials said this is the biggest drug seizure recorded in the city till date.
It was later alleged that the recovered drugs in SIU’s custody were sold by DSP Wasif Qureshi and Sub-Inspector Aijaz Butt. They also faced allegations of accepting bribes from a convicted drug dealer and a tax official in exchange for leniency in the case.
Sindh Home Minister Zia-ul-Hasan Lanjar took note of the allegations, prompting Karachi Police Chief Javed Alam Odho to suspend DSP Wasif Qureshi and Sub-Inspector Aijaz Butt and order an inquiry.
Read: SIU officers allegedly involved in sale of seized drugs
Speaking to the media on Tuesday, AIG Odho confirmed the suspension of the officers and said the investigation had been handed over to DIG West. “Although the seizure of the narcotics was a significant achievement by the police, it has unfortunately been marred by the misconduct of a few individuals,” he added.
Statements were collected from police officers and the 14 people arrested in the initial raid. Among them was Revenue Department Assistant Revenue Officer Javed Rasheed, who was arrested after 50 kg of hashish and 10 kg of crystal meth were recovered from his house.
The report also alleged that the suspended sub-inspector and constable accepted bribes from a drug dealer and an excise officer. While the drug-selling charge has been dropped, the bribery charge against Sub-Inspector Butt and Constable Rehmat remains.
According to the SIU report, DSP Qureshi has been cleared of both the alleged charges of drug selling and bribery.
DIG Baloch compiled the report and sent it to Karachi Police Chief Odho who will oversee the case.
