4.48 kg of drugs seized; female courier and trader arrested as cross-border investigation widens
Suspects arrested in a joint Pakistan-Qatar operation as they tried to smuggle 4.48 kilos of cocaine at Islamabad International Airport PHOTO: EXPRESS
RAWALPINDI:
Two suspects were arrested after a joint Pakistan-Qatar operation thwarted an attempt to smuggle 4.48 kilograms (kg) of cocaine at Islamabad International Airport on Wednesday, officials said.
Pakistan’s Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF), working in coordination with Qatari authorities, conducted an intelligence-based operation at the airport.
Acting on shared and verified intelligence, ANF personnel intercepted a Pakistani female passenger, identified as Sehrish Bano, who was traveling to Islamabad from Sharjah via Doha.
During a thorough search of her trolley bag, officials found 4,482 kg of cocaine. Authorities said the drugs had been skillfully hidden to avoid detection.
During a thorough search of her trolley bag, officials found 4,482 kg of cocaine PHOTO: EXPRESS
During questioning, the suspect revealed that her handler – linked to the intended recipient – was present outside the airport’s arrivals hall. Acting on this information, ANF arrested the driver, identified as Aamir Asadullah, along with his vehicle.
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Investigations revealed that the drug-laden bag had been handed over to the suspect in transit at Hamad International Airport by a Nigerian national following instructions from handlers based in the United Arab Emirates.
The arrested suspects, recovered drugs and the vehicle have been impounded. Additional coordinated studies are underway in Pakistan and Qatar.
ANF officials said the joint operation reflects effective intelligence sharing and operational cooperation between the two countries in the fight against international drug trafficking.
The ANF added that cocaine – described as a highly dangerous and expensive drug often associated with wealthy circles – is increasingly being trafficked into Pakistan. Authorities said smuggling networks often use women as transporters, forcing or tricking them into transporting drugs to avoid suspicion.
