ISLAMABAD: Customs intelligence recovered and seized 8 kilogrammes of heroin and 84 kilogrammes of opium, valued at Rs 4.7 million and Rs.11.04 million respectively, including the transport vehicles in two separate operations.Pursuing specific information that an attempt would be made to smuggle heroin from the Khyber Agency to Punjab via Motorway (M-1) and ultimately abroad, customs officials mounted surveillance near the Peshawar Toll Plaza. Around 2pm, the suspected car, coming from the Peshawar side was stopped. Upon checking, drugs were found in the car.The driver of the car was identified as Muhammad Ashraf and was taken into custody. The car was taken to the I&I Regional Office in Peshawar where it was impounded. The search led to the recovery of 8 kilogrammes of heroin concealed in a secret cavity especially designed for the purpose. The heroin and the vehicle have been valued at Rs 4.7 million. Further investigation is in progress.In another operation, customs officials intercepted a suspected car on the GT Road coming from the Peshawar side. Cursory checking revealed the presence of drugs in the vehicle. The driver of the trailer was identified as Naeem Abbasi and was taken into custody and the trailer mounted with an empty container was brought to the I&I Regional Office in Peshawar.
A further search of the trailer led to the recovery of 84 kilogrammes of opium concealed in a secret cavity behind the driver’s cabin. The opium and the vehicle have been valued at Rs 11.04 million. An FIR has been lodged and further investigation is in progress. The international market value of the heroin and opium seized is estimated to be Rs 320 million and Rs 336 million, respectively. – Dailytimes
