The investigation revealed allegations of misconduct and corruption involving officers responsible for handling drug seizures.
In December, the Special Investigation Unit (SIU) of the Karachi police suspended officers investigating a case involving the alleged sale of part of a 508 kg consignment of narcotics, valued at 280 million rupees, seized in an earlier operation that led to 14 arrests. The SIU has launched an investigation headed by Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) West Zone Irfan Ali Baloch.
On December 1, Sindh Home Minister Zia-ul-Hasan Lanjar, Excise Minister Mukesh Kumar Chawla, AIG Karachi Javed Alam Odho, DIG West Irfan Baloch and DIG CIA announced a major seizure of narcotics in a joint press conference. The lot allegedly included 468 kg of hashish and 40 kg of crystal meth. Authorities said it was the largest drug seizure recorded in the city to date.
It was later alleged that the drugs recovered from the custody of the SIU were sold by DSP Wasif Qureshi and sub-inspector Aijaz Butt. They were also accused of accepting bribes from a convicted drug trafficker and an excise officer in exchange for leniency in the case.
Sindh Interior Minister Zia-ul-Hasan Lanjar took note of the allegations, prompting Karachi police chief Javed Alam Odho to suspend DSP Wasif Qureshi and sub-inspector Aijaz Butt and order an investigation.
Read: SIU officers allegedly involved in selling seized drugs
Speaking to the media on Tuesday, AIG Odho confirmed the suspension of the officers and said the investigation had been handed over to DIG West. “While the seizure of the drugs was a significant achievement for the police, it was unfortunately marred by the misconduct of a few individuals,” he added.
Statements were taken from police officers and the 14 people arrested during the first crackdown. Among them was tax department assistant Javed Rasheed, who was arrested after 50 kg of hashish and 10 kg of crystal meth were recovered from his house.
The report also alleges that the suspended sub-inspector and police officer accepted bribes from a drug peddler and an excise officer. Although the charge of selling drugs has been dropped, the charge of corruption remains against sub-inspector Butt and police officer Rehmat.
According to the investigation report, DSP Qureshi was cleared of alleged charges of drug dealing and corruption.
DIG Baloch compiled the report and submitted it to Karachi police chief Odho, who will supervise the case.
