KP officials seize 240 kg of hashish in Swabi operation

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Excise, Taxation and Narcotics Control Department seized 240 kilograms of hashish in an operation in Swabi, foiling an attempt to transport a large consignment of narcotics, the department said.

The operation was conducted under the provincial government’s zero-tolerance policy against narcotics, and following directives from Provincial Minister for Excise, Taxation and Narcotics Control Syed Fakhar Jehan, the department said.

According to the Excise Department, the operation was launched on a tip-off received by Excise and Taxation Officer Counter Narcotics Operations Majid Khan. Special teams were deployed under the supervision of Faisal Khan, SHO of Excise Police Station Swabi.

During a late-night checking operation near Jamalabad in Swabi, Excise personnel signalled a suspicious vehicle to stop, but the driver attempted to flee at high speed, officials said.

During the ensuing pursuit, the vehicle rammed into Excise squad vehicles, causing damage to government vehicles, they said.

The Excise team subsequently intercepted the vehicle and recovered 240,000 grams (240 kilograms) of hashish from vehicle registration number BTD-966.

The people travelling in the vehicle abandoned it and fled under cover of darkness, according to the department. Efforts are underway to apprehend them.

A case has been registered at Excise Police Station Swabi, while further investigation and legal proceedings are under way.

The Excise, Taxation and Narcotics Control Department said its counter-narcotics operations would continue across the province, with legal action against those involved in the smuggling, transportation and sale of narcotics.