The Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) at Multan Airport foiled an attempt to smuggle cocaine, apprehending an Angolan national who had ingested 48 drug-filled capsules, officials said on Thursday. The suspect, who arrived from Muscat, was found with the capsules concealed in his stomach, weighing a total of 624 grams, according to an ANF spokesperson.
Rising concern over foreign nationals in drug smuggling
As per media reports, the operation is part of a broader nationwide crackdown on drug trafficking, with increasing concerns about the involvement of foreign nationals, particularly from African countries, in smuggling operations in Pakistan.
Recent reports indicate a growing number of foreigners, especially from African nations, being implicated in narcotics-related crimes.
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The suspect has been charged under the Anti-Narcotics Act, and authorities are conducting further investigations to uncover more details about the smuggling network. This incident follows a similar case last month when ANF officers arrested a Nigerian national at Lahore International Airport, who had ingested 38 capsules containing 608 grams of cocaine.
In 2023 alone, 10 Nigerian nationals were apprehended in smuggling attempts, with authorities seizing a total of 4.811 kilograms of drugs. This year, seven operations have already been conducted, resulting in eight arrests and the recovery of 11.420 kilograms of narcotics.
