Inquiry ordered after woman ‘drug peddler' produced in court without handcuffs

• Judicial magistrate sends Pinky on judicial remand.
• Home minister says JIT to be formed to probe matter.
• Lanjar vows strict action against all those found guilty.

KARACHI: In violation of standard operating procedures (SOPs), police on Tuesday produced a high-profile woman “drug peddler”, Anmol alias Pinky, before a judicial magistrate (South) in Karachi without handcuffs and under special protocol.

According to police, Pinky, who was reportedly arrested in Karachi’s Garden area a day earlier, is a highly wanted suspect who had been absconding in 10 different cases.

Weapon, cocaine and other drugs worth around Rs1.5 million were recovered from her custody, the police said, adding that she was reportedly operating a network of drug supply in the port city. 

She also used to supply drugs online through specific riders across the city, the police said, adding that the suspect also used female riders in her network.

After hearing both sides, the judicial magistrate sent the accused to jail on judicial remand.

Karachi Additional Inspector General of Police (AIG) Azad Khan took notice of the SOP violation after a video surfaced showing her, wearing sunglasses, walking without handcuffs while being “escorted” by police officials at the court premises.

The police’s special treatment of the notorious drug peddler sparked large-scale criticism on social media platforms.

According to a spokesperson for the Karachi police chief, AIG Azad took notice of the incident and launched an inquiry to determine the role of the relevant officers.

The spokesperson said that violations of the law and SOPs would not be tolerated, adding that all officers and personnel of Karachi police are bound by rules and regulations.

Meanwhile, Sindh Inspector General of Police Javed Alam Odho also took notice of the incident and sought a detailed report from the Karachi AIG.

The Sindh IG ordered the immediate suspension of the investigation officer and staff found guilty of negligence. He also ordered to formation an investigation committee comprising senior officers to ensure a transparent probe into the incident.

JIT to be formed to probe matter: home minister

Later, Sindh Home Minister Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar also sought a report from the Karachi AIG over the issue and directed authorities to conduct a transparent investigation into the matter.

The home minister vowed strict action against all those found guilty, adding that a joint investigation team (JIT) would be formed to probe the matter.

Referring to the alleged protocol extended to the suspect, the minister said such an act is unacceptable under any circumstances, adding that those who violated the SOPs should be punished as per the law.

“Police uniform is a symbol of public trust,” Lanjar said and warned that misuse of authority would not be tolerated.

“The Sindh government will not compromise on the rule of law,” he added.

Later in the night, authorities handed over the inquiry to the SSP South, while suspending SHO Garden Police Station Hanif Sial, Investigation Officer Saeed Ahmed, and SIU Inspector Zafar Iqbal.

Pistol, two magazines, 10 rounds recovered: FIR

According to the FIR, Garden police carried out a raid at a flat in the Garden West area of the metropolis after receiving intelligence that a woman was allegedly preparing and selling narcotics from the premises.

Police said a team on patrol was tipped off about the suspected activity before officers moved in and arrested the suspect, identified as Anmol alias Pinky, during the raid, according to the FIR.

The FIR stated that officers recovered 1,540 grammes of cocaine along with 6,970 grammes of various chemicals and raw materials allegedly used in the preparation of drugs. Police also claimed to have seized baking powder, ephedrine, ketamine and cocaine hydrochloride from the flat.

Investigators said a 9mm pistol, two magazines and 10 rounds were also recovered during the search. The suspect was unable to produce a licence for the weapon, according to the FIR.

Police added that cash, mobile phones, blank cheques and other items were also taken into custody from the apartment.

A case has since been registered against the suspect under narcotics laws, while a separate FIR was lodged under the Sindh Arms Act over the alleged recovery of the weapon.

Family disputes address mentioned in FIR

The case has also sparked concern among residents of the building after a family claimed that the address mentioned in the FIR belonged to their flat.

The affected family said they had been living in the apartment as tenants for the past eight years and did not know Anmol alias Pinky.

They said their landlord had asked them to vacate the flat after media reports suggested the suspect had been arrested from their residence.

The affected family questioned as to how their home address had appeared in the FIR, complaining that police negligence had caused them severe mental distress.