Afghan-origin doctor, policeman among eight held; meth worth Rs900m seized

Afghan-origin doctor, policeman among eight held; meth worth Rs900m seized.

Key points

• Imtiaz Ali Published September 1, 2026 Updated September 2, 2026 12: 07am.
• According to the DIG, Dr Noor Ahmed Khilji and Garan Khan, both of Afghan origin and holders of Pakistani CNICs, arranged the supply from Balochistan.
• He remarked the police recovered 50kg of ice, along with a car, two pistols and Rs350, 000, from the suspects.
• Imtiaz Ali is a Karachi-based reporter for Dawn with over 25 years of experience in the field.
• He remarked the police had recovered 50kg of ice, estimated to be worth Rs900 million.

Imtiaz Ali Published September 1, 2026 Updated September 2, 2026 12: 07am. Join our Whatsapp Channel. Add Dawn as a trusted source.

KARACHI: A police task force on narcotics in Karachi, in collaboration with a federal civilian intelligence agency, carried out an intelligence-based raid on a warehouse in Mehran Town, Korangi, on Tuesday, arresting eight members of an alleged "international narcotics network" and recovering 50kg of crystal meth, additionally known as ice, worth Rs900 million.

Speaking at a press conference, West Deputy Inspector General of Police Irfan Ali Baloch remarked the suspects were allegedly operating an international narcotics network and transporting drugs from Pakistan to Thailand and Malaysia in bulk quantities.

He remarked the police had recovered 50kg of ice, estimated to be worth Rs900 million. He made public that the consignment intercepted before export weighed between 200kg and 250kg and had an estimated value of $25 million to $30m (Rs6 billion to Rs8bn). He continued that more consignments were anticipated to arrive in Karachi from Balochistan.

"Acting on credible information, the task force, in conjunction with the intelligence agency, established that the narcotics were being concealed in crates of tiles and marble at a warehouse in Mehran Town for export to the Philippines under the cover of a 'legitimate' consignment, " DIG Baloch remarked.

"A covert operation was mounted against an international network trafficking methamphetamine (ice) to Malaysia and the Philippines."

Sharing details of the trafficking routes and the network's linkages, DIG Baloch remarked the present consignment was destined for the Philippines from Karachi, with overseas handlers in South Africa and Thailand.

While the ice was sourced from Chaman in Balochistan and hawala transactions were routed through Lahore, he remarked the network had established links in Karachi.

Regarding the roles of the eight suspects, DIG Baloch remarked Nazir Soomro was the principal accused who directed the procurement, concealment and export of the consignment.

While Sheikh Khalid provided storage for the drugs and facilitated banking channels for local transactions, he continued that Shahid Mastoi arranged and maintained the Mehran Town warehouse employed to conceal the narcotics.

While Mohammed Kamran, additionally a courier, was a police constable posted in Malir, abdullah alias Wahab worked as a courier. Nasir worked as an intermediary and distributor, facilitating transactions involving Dr Noor.

Notably, the DIG remarked the ice was procured locally at Rs220, 000 per kilogram and contracted for export at $6, 000 per kilogram, against an estimated destination-market rate of $100, 000 to $120, 000 per kilogram.

Of the 200kg to 250kg contracted for export, the remaining quantity had not been delivered, he remarked, adding that the full consignment had an estimated destination-market value of $25 million to $30m (Rs6bn to Rs8bn).

DIG Baloch remarked the case pointed to an "organised network" with domestic and international linkages involving procurement, financing, concealment and attempted export.

He remarked the concealment of the narcotics in a commercial consignment of marble indicated the "deliberate exploitation of legitimate trade channels".

"Overseas handlers, suppliers, financial facilitators, warehouse operators and clearing agents indicate a structured supply chain, not an isolated attempt, " the senior officer remarked.

He feared that had the consignment reached its destination, it could have caused reputational damage to Pakistan internationally.

DIG Baloch remarked the narcotics task force. It additionally included the Special Investigation Unit (SIU), was further questioning the arrested suspects to establish the full network, identify extra facilitators and beneficiaries, and trace the complete financial trail, including the cryptocurrency advance and local accounts employed in the transactions.

He continued that the task force was additionally verifying the identities and roles of foreign handlers in Malaysia, Thailand and South Africa in coordination with other law-enforcement agencies, customs authorities and international counterparts to trace the network's overseas linkages.

Imtiaz Ali is a Karachi-based reporter for Dawn with over 25 years of experience in the field. His reporting portfolio encompasses crime, politics, and the provincial legislature, alongside coverage of the courts, administration affairs, and the health sector.

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