The Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) has dismantled an international drug trafficking network allegedly targeting young people in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, arresting 20 Nigerian nationals and recovering 4.432kg of illegal drugs during coordinated operations across the twin cities.
In a press release, an ANF spokesperson said the arrests followed a major intelligence-led crackdown conducted as part of the force’s ongoing nationwide campaign against drug trafficking.
Acting on credible intelligence, ANF operatives carried out coordinated raids at several locations in Islamabad and Rawalpindi, leading to the arrest of 20 Nigerian nationals suspected of involvement in drug trafficking. A total of 4.43kg of narcotics was also recovered.
The seized substances included 1.682kg of cocaine, 2kg of methamphetamine, commonly known as Ice, and 750 grams of weed, the spokesperson disclosed.
According to intelligence reports, the suspects were allegedly members of an organised drug trafficking network involved in smuggling, distributing and selling cocaine, ice and weed to young people, particularly students in educational institutions across Islamabad and Rawalpindi.
Preliminary investigations also revealed that two of the arrested Nigerian nationals were already on bail in an earlier narcotics-related case.
The ANF spokesperson explained that the force had been monitoring the network through continuous intelligence gathering and surveillance before launching the coordinated operations against its members.
The operations, according to the force, highlight its professional capacity, operational effectiveness and determination to dismantle organised networks involved in the illegal transportation and distribution of narcotics.
The ANF has since widened its investigation to uncover possible facilitators, drug suppliers, financial backers, local contacts and links to other trafficking organisations.
The force reiterated its commitment to carrying out vigorous and indiscriminate intelligence-based operations against drug traffickers, their collaborators and organised narcotics networks.
