Sharjeel Memon unveils crackdown on drug network in Karachi

KARACHI: Senior Minister Sharjeel Memon announced the arrest of drug suppliers operating within educational institutions in Karachi on Friday.

The senior minister was addressing the media during a press conference held at the Excise, Taxation, and Narcotics Control Department in Karachi.

Read more: Punjab Police arrests biggest drug supplier gang in Lahore

The Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader disclosed that the arrested individuals were part of a larger drug racket. They were reportedly involved in supplying narcotics to colleges, universities, and other affluent areas of the city.

The drug suppliers were arrested after the local police intercepted a vehicle bearing a falsified official number plate on Shahrah-e-Faisal. This led to the discovery of 50 boxes filled with drugs.

Memon stated that the detained suspects provided authorities with the names of approximately 150 accomplices. This prompted further investigations into the network’s operations by the Excise authorities.

The PPP leader said that additional raids were conducted based on information extracted from the arrested accused. During raid, another person was arrested allegedly responsible for the supply of drugs across the city.

The senior minister praised the activities of the Excise and Narcotics Control department in combating drug usage in the province. Memon revealed that the department recently convicted seven people from six different drug-related cases in Hyderabad district during April.

The sentences issued to people found guilty of allegedly possessing significant quantities of hashish included Fayyaz alias Tucker Qureshi, Shafiq alias Jibran, Lal Muhammad Qambrani, Ehtsham Yousafzai, Azeem Khan Khaskheli, and Muhammad Mustabeen.

Memon stated that the government was “determined” to combat drug abuse in the southern province. He pledged “continuous efforts” until entire Sindh was ‘drug-free’.

The PPP leader declared crackdown on illegal drug usage as a “deterrent” to illicit drug trafficking. He also encouraged public involvement by reporting any suspicious drug-related activities as part of the broader strategy to combat narcotics trade and usage.

Read more: ANF busts ring supplying drugs to students in Islamabad

Unregistered vehicles and tax evaders

Meanwhile, Memon also announced a crackdown on unregistered vehicles and tax evaders by the Excise and Taxation department. He advised the city’s residents to acquired legitimate number plates from the excise office to avoid inconvenience.

He also mentioned timely payment of vehicle taxes and renewal of vehicle registrations.