By Ashrafuddin Pirzada
KHYBER: In a major crackdown, the Excise Intelligence Bureau claimed to have recovered drugs worth millions of rupees from a vehicle bearing a fake government number plate near Shahkas Madrassa in Jamrud of Khyber district, official sources said on Monday.
They said the operation was carried out under the special directives of the secretary of the excise department and the director general of excise, as part of the province-wide campaign against drug traffickers, dealers and their facilitators.
Led by the provincial in-charge of the excise intelligence bureau, Saud Khan Gandapur and excise and taxation officer (Counter-Narcotics Operations) Majid Khan, a team comprising sub-inspector Sher Shah Suri, ASI Malik Niaz and other officials successfully foiled a drug smuggling attempt.
During the operation, a suspicious vehicle was intercepted near Shahkas Madrassa in Jamrud. The vehicle was found to be using a fake government registration plate (AHT 935). Despite strong resistance, the officials managed to take control of the vehicle. Upon thorough search, 240 kilograms (240,000 grams) of high-quality hashish were recovered.
An FIR has been registered at the Excise Police Station Khyber on the complaint of SHO Shiraz Khan, and further investigation is underway to identify and apprehend other possible accomplices.
According to the excise authorities, indiscriminate operations against narcotics across the province would be continued to protect the younger generation from the devastating effects of drug abuse.
