Within a short span of two month, the Excise and Taxation (E&T) department seized 3,804 kilogram good quality Hashish worth billions of rupees in the under-world markets abroad and 2,030 litre raw liquor and arrested 22 culprits who were challaned in the courts.
Caretaker Sindh Minister Dr Abdul Karim Mahar stated this while reviewing the department's performance during November and December 2007. He said soon after taking over the charge as E&T minister, he issued directives to Director General Asif Marghoob Siddiqi and other concerned directors to start strict watch on movement of narcotics and the smuggling routes in the province.
As a result large quantity of narcotics were recovered in raids in Karachi, Hyderabad, Umerkot and Nawabshah during which five persons were arrested while four persons were arrested in Umerkot after recovery of 480 litre raw liquor from them.
Besides, narcotic dens were busted and 12 persons arrested in raids carried out in North Nazimabad, New Karachi, Mujahid Colony, Kharadar, Keamari, Wahid Colony, Usmanabad, Asoo Goth, Malir and Korangi Road. In the biggest ever operation of the year 2007, the Excise hounds in Larkana foiled an attempt of narcotic smuggling and recovered 3,760 kilograms Charas.
The minister called upon the officials to further step up their efforts to eliminate the menace of narcotics from Sindh and to save the youth from its venomous affects. He constituted special task forces for all the districts of Sindh to achieve the desired objectives. Dr Karim Mahar also stressed improved recovery of taxes and duties and asked the officials to work efficiently to fulfil the given targets.