960kg Narcotics seized, ANF uncovers 2 illegal drug factories in Peshawar

In the first operation, the Excise Intelligence Bureau recovered 720 kilograms of charas and 240 kilograms of opium during an operation conducted

PESHAWAR: Law enforcement agencies have intensified their campaign against narcotics in Peshawar, seizing 960 kilograms of drugs in a major interception near Hayatabad Toll Plaza and separately uncovering two illegal facilities allegedly manufacturing synthetic tablets.

In the first operation, the Excise Intelligence Bureau recovered 720 kilograms of charas and 240 kilograms of opium during an operation conducted on the night of September 19-20 at Jahaz Chowk and Hayatabad Toll Plaza.

Officials said the operation followed confidential information received by Excise Intelligence Bureau Incharge Akif Nawaz. Three teams were deployed around the toll plaza, where personnel attempted to stop a suspicious pickup. The occupants allegedly opened fire before fleeing towards Frontier Road.

Following the exchange of fire, the suspects abandoned the vehicle and escaped under the cover of darkness. A subsequent search of the pickup led to the recovery of 960 kilograms of narcotics concealed in specially designed compartments.

Investigators believe the consignment was being transported from Peshawar to Punjab for onward distribution in Lahore and other cities. A case has been registered, while officials are examining the vehicle’s registration and chassis details to trace the suspected smuggling network.

The operation was carried out under the KP government’s stated zero-tolerance policy against narcotics on the directions of Provincial Minister for Excise Syed Fakhar Jahan.

In a separate intelligence-based operation, the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) raided two alleged clandestine drug-manufacturing facilities in Hasan Ghari and Malakandher along Nasirabagh Road.

During the first raid in Hasan Ghari, ANF officials recovered 25.910 kilograms of chemicals, 4,500 allegedly ready-made K-Tablets, tablet-pressing machinery and three vehicles reportedly used for distribution. Four suspects were arrested, including a pharmacist who was allegedly overseeing the formulation process.

According to investigators, questioning of the arrested suspects indicated that the facility had the capacity to manufacture between 90,000 and 100,000 tablets a month.

Information obtained during the investigation led ANF teams to a second premises in Malakandher, where officials recovered approximately 4.5 kilograms of prepared and partially processed Ecstasy tablets, along with raw materials and manufacturing equipment. One additional suspect was arrested from the site.

An ANF spokesperson said the two facilities were rudimentary and unhygienic and lacked the standards required for legitimate pharmaceutical production. The agency warned that synthetic drugs manufactured under such conditions can pose serious risks to consumers.

The spokesperson said investigators were particularly examining the alleged distribution of synthetic tablets among young people and students through closed networks and party circles, stressing that combating drug trafficking and illicit manufacturing requires coordinated action by law-enforcement agencies and society.

Investigations into both cases are continuing, while information is being shared among the Excise Department, ANF and Punjab Police to identify links between the suspected networks and pursue the wider inter-provincial supply chain.