Huge quantity of narcotics destroyed

KARACHI: On the occasion of International Day against drug abuse and illicit trafficking, a joint drug destruction ceremony was held at Hawkesbay here on Sunday.

The event was arranged by Pakistan Coast Guards (PCG) under the auspices of Inter Agency Task Force on Counter Narcotics.

Customs Collector Razia Sultana was the chief guest on the occasion. Brig. Shaheryar Khan, Director General of PCG, and Brig. Wajid of Anti Narcotics Force (ANF) were also present.

A PCG statement said that the Inter Agency Task Force consists of 12 Federal and Provincial Agencies putting up a unified front against the menace of narcotics in the country.

This year a total of 14,603 kilogram of hashish, 30 kilogram of heroin, 61,897 bottles of alcohol, 24,292 cans of beer and 3,214 kilogram of gutka was destroyed. It had an estimated value of Rs280 million.

The PCG statement said that cases amounting to an approximately equal quantity are also pending in different courts and awaiting disposal.

The chief guest also distributed commendation certificates among the officers and operatives of various agencies who had made significant seizures over the years.

To raise the awareness among the general public a cycle race was also held under the auspices of Sindh Cycling Association.

The participants of the cycle race were also given cash prizes and certificates.

Copyright APP (Associated Press of Pakistan), 2011