US-Pak joint operation seizes $21m worth of crystal meth from Afghanistan

A joint operation by Pakistani and US authorities has resulted in the seizure of approximately 463 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine, valued at $21 million, said the US Embassy in Islamabad Tuesday. 

The seizure was made on August 30 with assistance from the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) office at the US Embassy in Islamabad and the Pakistani Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF). 

According to the US Embassy spokesperson, the ANF’s Port Control Unit in Karachi detected suspected illicit drugs, believed to have originated in Afghanistan, concealed inside containers destined for Colombo between August 14 and 29. 

Following information provided by the ANF, the DEA coordinated with authorities in the relevant countries to secure the narcotics. Several individuals, including Pakistani nationals, were arrested during the operation.

The spokesperson also said that ongoing US training has enhanced the ANF’s operational capacity and stressed that curbing the flow of illicit drugs remains a key priority of the Trump administration.

The operation also received support from the Sri Lankan Police Narcotics Bureau and the DEA’s New Delhi office. 
The United States remains committed to working with Pakistan to dismantle transnational criminal networks and protect US citizens from the dangers associated with illicit drugs.