News Desk: The Excise and Anti-Narcotics Department Balochistan has seized a record 1,013 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine (Ice) worth an estimated Rs74.19 billion in the international market during a major operation in Gadani.
The seizure, described by the department as its largest-ever drug bust, was carried out by the South Zone Excise and Anti-Narcotics teams as part of an ongoing crackdown on drug trafficking along Balochistan’s coastal belt.
According to the department, the seized contraband comprised one tonne and 13 kilograms of Ice, dealing a major financial blow to suspected transnational drug trafficking networks.
The operation was conducted under the direction of Balochistan Chief Minister Mir Sarfraz Ahmed Bugti and Chief Secretary Shakeel Qadir Khan, with special instructions from Excise Secretary Zafar Ali Bukhari. The enforcement operation was supervised by Director General Excise and Anti-Narcotics (South Zone) Muhammad Zaman.
Previous Major Drug Seizures
The Gadani operation follows several significant seizures conducted by the Excise Department along Balochistan’s coastal routes over the past two years.
In one major operation, authorities confiscated 425kg of Ice, 20kg of hashish and 5,076 units of foreign liquor and beer, with the department estimating their international street value at around Rs31.35 billion.
Another large-scale counter-narcotics operation resulted in the recovery of 200kg of Ice, 600kg of hashish and 8,000 units of foreign alcohol, with an estimated international market value of approximately Rs28 billion. The seized drugs and alcohol were later destroyed during an event marking World Drug Day.
The department also reported the seizure of 10,000 units of foreign alcohol, valued at approximately Rs18.5 million, while separate coastal enforcement operations resulted in the recovery of 3,717 and 750 units of foreign liquor and beer.
Rs133.56 Billion Loss Reported for Drug Networks
According to the Excise Department, its operations over the past two years have resulted in the confiscation of a combined 1,638kg of Ice, 620kg of hashish and 27,543 bottles and cans of foreign liquor and beer.
The department estimates that these seizures have caused financial losses of more than Rs133.56 billion to drug trafficking networks.
Director General Muhammad Zaman said the department would continue its zero-tolerance policy against drug trafficking, with a particular focus on preventing narcotics from reaching young people and strengthening security along Balochistan’s coastal routes.
