Two held in Karachi in separate operations against drug trade and extortion

KARACHI: The Special Investigation Unit (SIU) said on Saturday that it had arrested an alleged supplier of crystal methamphetamine, commonly known as ice, and an alleged extortionist in two separate operations in Karachi.

According to SIU Senior Superintendent of Police Dr Samiullah Soomro, the SIU and a federal civilian intelligence agency carried out a joint operation at the Lyari riverbed after receiving a tip-off. He said the suspected narcotics dealer was arrested in an injured condition following what police described as an encounter.

Dr Soomro said the detained man was allegedly a known dealer of heroin and crystal meth in the city.

“The arrested suspect is a notorious dealer of heroin and crystal meth in the city,” claimed SIU Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Dr Samiullah Soomro.

The officer said the suspect had been involved in the narcotics trade since 2019 along with his two brothers. He added that in 2019, the suspect had been arrested by the Site Superhighway Industrial Area police in a robbery case and was later sent to jail.

After his release, Dr Soomro said, the suspect and his brothers began selling drugs in New Karachi and nearby localities, including 4-K Chowrangi, Allah Wali Chowrangi, Power House and surrounding areas.

Extortion suspect arrested in Jamshed Quarters

In a separate action, the SIU said it arrested an alleged extortionist near People’s Chowrangi in Jamshed Quarters.

Dr Soomro said the suspect was part of an extortion gang led by Sameer, whom he identified as the son of former gang leader Mama Bashir.

“The arrested suspect is a member of an extortion gang led by Sameer, who is the son of ex-gang leader Mama Bashir ,” said the SIU SSP.

According to the officer, the gang has been operating in District East and is involved in collecting extortion from wine shops, biryani centres, cardboard factories, printing presses and other businesses.

“This gang is operating in District East and is involved in collecting extortion from wine shops, biryani centres, cardboard factories, printing presses, and various other businesses,” the officer added.

Dr Soomro further said the arrested suspect and other members of the gang were also involved in drug trafficking and several street crimes.

Business community had raised concerns

In October 2025, Karachi’s business community voiced concern over what it described as a sharp rise in extortion incidents. Citing reports, the Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (Kati) said that 96 extortion cases had been registered in 2025.

According to the breakdown shared by Kati, District Central recorded the highest number of cases at 37, followed by District West with 20, District East with 15 and District City with 12. The figures also showed five cases in Malir and three in Korangi.

Later, in December, Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hasan Lanjar said five major extortion networks operating from abroad were active in Karachi and that efforts were under way to secure the extradition and arrest of their ringleaders.

The minister had named the alleged heads of those networks as Wasiullah Lakho, Jameel Changa, Bahadur PMT, Gul Sher Jagirani and Azeem.