RAWALPINDI: Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) registered 1,063 cases and 1,204 persons involved in drug smuggling were sent behind the bars during 2017.
According to an ANF spokesman, during 2017, ANF seized 31811.85kg opium, 7132.2kg morphine, 19568.615kg heroin, 100436.353kg hashish, 386.149kg cocaine, 1881.901kg amphetamine, 35.893kg methamphetamine, 22.768kg ecstasy tablets, 13.805kg xanax tablets, 9.413kg diazepam tablets, 73.5kg prazolam tablets, 57.027kg cannabis and precursor chemical comprising 917.5liter acetic anhydride, 50594.8liter sulfuric acid, 4130 liter hydrochloric acid and 715 liter acetone.
During 2017, out of 786 decided cases, 753 cases met conviction, making 96% successful conviction rate. This year ANF frozen assets worth Rs 933.42 million, out of which Rs 21.14 million has been forfeited and Rs 0.582 million realized. During the year, ANF has also undertaken 332 drug abuse prevention and awareness raising activities throughout the country.
Talking about drug treatment facilities, he apprised that in addition to existing 145 bedded Drug Treatment Facilities at Islamabad, Quetta and Karachi, ANF is expanding this facility to 178 more beds at Karachi, Sukkur and Peshawar including establishment of 48 bedded female and juvenile Drug Treatment Ward within existing MATRC Karachi.
He apprised that ANF has provided free drug treatment to 697 drug addicts at its Drug Treatment Centers in year 2017. He also highlighted the up-gradation of ANF Balochistan in respect of deployment, intelligence ability, technical capability and mobility with special focus on Gawadar in view of the CPEC.
ANF is striving for drugs absolute elimination to achieve the goal of Drug Free Society, he said adding that ANF is vigorously executing its assigned tasks with utmost dedication and determination.
This year, 1.805 Metric Tons of narcotics were burnt here while ANF burnt a total of 135.064 Metric Tons of drugs valuing Rs3951 million at Lahore, Peshawar and Karachi. The force is continuously launching “Anti-Drug Drives” in major cities, with special focus on educational institutions.
Director General, ANF, Major General Musarrat Nawaz, Chairman, Inter Agency Task Force (IATF) chairing a meeting held here the other day reviewed performance of Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs).
The meeting was attended by FBR, Pakistan Coast Guards, FIA, FATA Secretariat, Pakistan Rangers, Punjab, Pakistan Rangers, Sindh, Frontier Corps, KPK, Frontier Corps, Baluchistan, ICT Police, National Highways & Motorways Police, Pakistan Railways Police, Punjab Police, Sindh Police, KPK Police, Baluchistan Police, Gilgit-Baltistan Police, Excise & Taxation Sindh, Excise & Taxation Baluchistan, Excise & Taxation Gilgit-Baltistan, Excise & Taxation AJK, Commissionerate Afghan Refugees KPK, Malakand Levies, NLC and Civil Aviation Authority.
The meeting discussed the prevalent challenges; synergize counter narcotics operations, coordination and cooperation among the LEAs for effective drug control and to accrue maximum benefits from the jurisdiction of the respective departments.
The DG ANF appreciated performance of all LEAs despite capacity gaps and resource constraints. He also appreciated active participation of IATF member agencies in the meeting and desired frequent interaction at provincial as well as federal level.
