163 arrested for drug peddling in educational institutions

Rawalpindi : The Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) registered 137 cases and arrested 163 persons across the country during its special campaign, launched a year back against drug peddlers and to stop proliferation of drugs in educational institutions.

The ANF teams conducted operations and recovered over 30 kg heroin, 15.4 kg opium, 2500 kg hashish and other drugs worth millions of rupees during the period.

Director ANF, Riaz Soomro talking to APP informed that two pronged strategy was being pursued regarding halting of proliferation of drugs i.e. drug demand reduction and drug supply reduction while awareness activities against drug abuse were also conducted during last year to save the youth from the menace of drugs.

He informed that 69 cases were registered in Punjab province and the ANF teams netted 80 drug peddlers, 19 cases were registered in KPK and 23 persons allegedly involved in supplying drugs to education institutions were nabbed, 14 cases were registered in Sindh on arrest of 13 accused while 14 FIRs were lodged in Balochistan where 16 drug peddlers were sent behind the bars.

He informed that the Force managed to round up 32 drug suppliers in North area where 21 persons were arrested.

He said, the educational authorities were advised to establish their Internal Monitoring and Enforcement System.

Cultivation of sources, informers and acquisition of actionable intelligence in educational institutions has also been beefed up while coordination and liaison with schools, colleges, universities/institutions has been increased to check inflow of drugs among the students.