Constable, veterinarian held with drugs haul near Kasur

LAHORE: Two men, including a police constable, were arrested near Raiwind Chowk in Kasur after anti-narcotics authorities said they intercepted a major consignment of drugs concealed in two vehicles.

The District Narcotics Control Squad in Kasur said the arrests were made during an intelligence-based operation. The suspects were identified as police constable Muhammad Zaman Tufail and veterinarian Aqib Raza, who authorities described as a drug trafficker. Reports said the Punjab Counter Narcotics Force had been tracking the pair through surveillance and intelligence before moving in.

According to the force, 314.7kg of narcotics with an estimated market value of more than Rs70 million was recovered in the operation. The seizure included 93kg of opium and 221.7kg of hashish, which officials said had been hidden inside the vehicles.

Officials said initial findings suggested the shipment was being moved from Multan for distribution in different parts of Lahore and Kasur. Investigators further alleged that the drugs were intended in part for students at educational institutions, while the constable was accused of using his official position to help ensure the consignment passed without interruption.