Excise and Taxation (E&T) Department, Larkana, in one of the biggest haul in its history, seized huge quantity of 3,760 kilogram (3.75 tons) of fine quality charas, near check post at Kashmore. This was disclosed by caretaker Minister for E&T Dr Abdul Karim Mehar while addressing a press conference here on Thursday.
"It was the biggest ever anti-narcotics operation by the Department during the last four years", the minister said. Giving details, the minister said that on receipt of a secret information, a team of E&T officials Kashmore, led by Assistant E&T Officer Abdul Latif Pitafi intercepted a suspected truck loaded with boulders.
The truck was thoroughly searched, which resulted in the recovery of 3,760 kilogram (3.75 tons) of fine quality charas, which was to be smuggled abroad. The minister said that two accused identified as Akbar Khan s/o Wazir and Khaista Khan were arrested from the spot and the truck was taken into custody, adding that a case had been registered and further investigation was in progress.
He said that locally the value of contraband was estimated to be in crores of rupees and in billions in the international underground market. The minister appreciated the efforts and performance of E&T Larkana director and his staff in making this big seizure and announced that award of appreciation certificates besides other legal incentives.
E&T Secretary Muhammad Naseer Jamali and E&T Sindh Director General Muhammad Asif Marghoob Siddiqui were also present at the press conference. The minister issued strict instructions to all E&T officials to launch vigorous operation against drug mafia and narcotic dens spread in different localities so that the society in general and youth in particular are saved from the ravages of this menace. He warned of strict action against the officials in whose jurisdiction narcotics dens would be reported.