In a significant crackdown on drug smuggling, the Pakistan Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) arrested a Nigerian man at Lahore International Airport for attempting to smuggle cocaine into the country. The arrest, reported by the Express Tribune on Thursday, highlights a worrying trend in drug trafficking involving Nigerian nationals.
The suspect, who arrived in Lahore from Nigeria via Dubai, had swallowed 38 capsules containing cocaine in an attempt to evade detection. According to the ANF spokesperson, the capsules contained a total of 608 grams of cocaine, a substantial amount that could have had severe consequences if successfully smuggled into the country.
This arrest is not an isolated incident. In 2023 alone, Pakistani authorities have arrested ten Nigerians in similar cases, seizing a total of 4.811 kilograms of various drugs. The trend appears to be escalating, as evidenced by the ANF's recent operations this year. To date, the force has conducted seven operations leading to the arrest of eight Nigerians and the recovery of 11.420 kilograms of narcotics.
The arrested suspect now faces charges under Pakistan’s Anti-Narcotics Act, with further investigations underway to uncover the full extent of the smuggling network. The case underscores the importance of international cooperation in tackling drug trafficking, as well as the need for stringent measures to curb this growing menace.
As authorities continue their investigations, this arrest serves as a stark reminder of the lengths to which drug traffickers will go to transport illegal substances across borders. The ANF's vigilance in this case has undoubtedly prevented a significant quantity of drugs from entering Pakistan, but the ongoing battle against narcotics smuggling is far from over.