‘Pinky’ drug case: Lahore police uncover alleged drug trafficking network

LAHORE: Investigators probing a drug trafficking case involving Anmol alias “Pinky” and her former husband Nasser have uncovered what they described as key details about the structure and operations of an alleged narcotics network.

According to police findings, the accused Nasser initially began his business activities in Lahore with two of his brothers, operating guest houses and later expanding into alcohol-related trade before moving into drug trafficking.

Police said the group, which reportedly included Nasser, his brothers, a friend and a brother-in-law, later became involved in the supply of cocaine.

Investigators alleged that Nasser trained his then wife Anmol alias “Pinky” in drug-related operations, after which the couple allegedly supplied cocaine in Lahore, Karachi and other cities across Pakistan.

Police records further indicate that Nasser later shifted to Karachi with his brothers to expand the network.

Investigators also said that Pinky allegedly divorced Nasser in 2021 on the advice of a former inspector, identified as Rana Akram. Police said further aspects of the case were under investigation.

In a separate account of the investigation, Lahore police said that Nasser, along with his brothers, was involved in the drug trade after relocating from Gujranwala to Lahore.

Police said that the group initially operated guest houses and liquor-related businesses before expanding into cocaine supply operations with associates.

Investigators said that the network later spread to other cities, including Karachi, as the alleged operation expanded.

Police said the investigation is ongoing and further arrests or revelations may follow as inquiries progress.

Earlier, “Pinky” was presented in a Karachi court where she told a magistrate that she had been tortured, falsely implicated and forced to name other individuals during interrogation.

The suspect was produced before a judicial magistrate in Karachi’s South district by police for a hearing related to narcotics and other cases, where investigators sought an extension of her physical remand.

During the proceedings, Pinky told the court she had been subjected to abuse and held in custody for an extended period before being formally handed over to police.

“I have been beaten. False cases have been registered against me. I have been treated unjustly,” she said in the court.

The magistrate intervened during her statement, advising her to remain calm and drink water, telling her that she was in a court where she would not be harassed.

Responding to the judge’s questions, the suspect said that she had been detained for about 20 days and alleged that drugs had been planted on her.

“They put bags of drugs on me,” she claimed, adding that she was brought by several individuals in a vehicle and handed over to police days later.

She further alleged that she was being pressured to name individuals suggested by investigators.

“They are telling me to take the names they are giving me,” she said.

The court observed that no confessional statement was being recorded at this stage and directed officials to produce prior judicial orders for review.

The magistrate also asked the investigating officer about the progress of the probe and whether the suspect’s medical condition had been assessed.

The investigating officer told the court that multiple cases had been registered against the suspect and that narcotics were recovered based on her alleged identification.

He further said that she had recently been arrested after a long period and that investigations were ongoing in several cases.

The court reserved its ruling on the police request for extension of physical remand and said it would announce its decision later.

During the hearing, the magistrate also directed that all nominated suspects in the case be produced before the court.

The magistrate also asked about financial transactions linked to the suspect, to which the investigating officer responded that bank accounts showed transactions worth around Rs300 million.

Police also told the court that further investigations were under way into alleged links with multiple individuals and possible drug distribution networks.

The case is part of a broader investigation into alleged narcotics trafficking in Karachi involving multiple suspects and ongoing raids across the city.

Earlier, Karachi police recommended placing four individuals linked to alleged drug trafficker “Pinky” on Pakistan’s Provisional National Identification List (PNIL), as authorities widen an investigation into a sprawling narcotics network operating across multiple cities in Pakistan and internationally.