Woman accused of running Karachi drug network arrested, police say

KARACHI: Police in Karachi said on Tuesday they had arrested a woman described as a highly wanted suspect in cases related to the supply of cocaine and other narcotics in the city.

According to an official statement, the arrest was made after midnight in a joint operation carried out by a team from Garden Police Station and a civilian intelligence agency. The statement said, A female suspect identified as Anmol alias Pinki, allegedly involved in supplying cocaine and other deadly narcotics across the city, has been arrested.

Police said the suspect had been absconding in several cases and was wanted by law enforcement authorities. They claimed to have recovered one pistol, cocaine worth millions of rupees, chemicals and other narcotics from her possession.

The police statement further alleged that the accused had been operating an organised and extensive narcotics supply network in Karachi. According to police, she used online channels to supply drugs in Clifton, DHA and other parts of the city through designated riders. The statement added that female riders were also used in the network to shield its operations from law enforcement agencies.

Police said the suspect’s customers included students as well as prominent personalities. They further claimed that narcotics worth hundreds of thousands of rupees were being sold daily through different methods.

Authorities have registered two first information reports against the accused under various provisions of the Sindh Control of Narcotic Substances Act, 2024, and the Sindh Arms Act, 2013, according to the police statement.

Video of court appearance draws notice

The case also drew attention after a video circulated on social media showing the accused walking through a court corridor without handcuffs. In the footage, she can be seen wearing sunglasses and carrying a water bottle while being guided by the investigating officer, who was walking behind her.

Karachi Additional Inspector-General Azad Khan took notice of a news report aired on a private television channel which said the alleged drug dealer, Anmol, had been produced in court without handcuffs for physical remand.

AIG Azad has immediately sought a detailed report from the South deputy inspector general regarding the incident and ordered an inquiry to determine the responsibilities of the relevant officers, said a statement issued by his office.

The statement added that the additional inspector-general had made it clear that all police officers and personnel were required to perform their duties in line with the law and standard operating procedures.

He clarified that all police officers and personnel are bound to perform their duties in accordance with the law and standard operating procedures (SOPs), and that any negligence or carelessness will not be tolerated under any circumstances.

The police statement did not provide further details about the progress of the case beyond the registration of the FIRs and the inquiry ordered over the court appearance.