The Lahore police’s Organised Crime Unit (OCU) successfully dismantled an international criminal syndicate, which consisted of four individuals from a single family, involved in the distribution of narcotics and party drugs to affluent young people.
According to the police, the ‘Jordan Gang’, which consisted of four family members, was involved in the distribution of expensive drugs in Lahore and Multan. The gang operated in various countries including Central Asia, Mexico, Canada, and the USA. It was also reported that the drugs were supplied to specific students in universities and other academic institutions.
OCU DIG Imran Kishwar informed Dawn that the gang was apprehended after a thorough two-month intelligence gathering and undercover operation. The gang leader, Ayub Khan, who went by the alias Jordan, operated in complete secrecy, with his true identity remaining unknown.
Under the leadership of SP Furqan Bilal, a specialized team from the OCU (formerly known as the Crime Investigation Agency) uncovered the drug trafficking network. The team took action when some members of the Jordan Gang arrived in Pakistan.
The group consisted of four individuals from the same family; a large quantity of narcotics was seized.
The OCU successfully infiltrated Jordan’s network through a strategic plan, making multiple purchases to establish trust with Jordan’s associates. This led to significant progress in the investigation, as stated by the police officer.
A well-coordinated overnight operation by the police resulted in the arrest of key gang members, including Muhammad Ali, Uzair, Muhammad Nadeem, Samina Iftikhar, and Fatima Zahra in Phase VI of the DHA. However, Ayub Jordan remains at large, operating from Thailand.
The gang offered deals to students and citizens using fake IDs on social media, while also managing numerous bank accounts under the name of a female suspect, Samina Iftikhar, and her son Uzair to launder money. Ayub alias Jordan and Muhammad Ali are her other sons. Authorities have identified nearly a dozen bank accounts linked to the gang members. DIG Kishwar disclosed that some police officials and GPO staff were involved in the gang’s marketing and distribution networks.
DIG Kishwar further revealed that Ayub Khan, also known as Jordan, has been residing in Thailand with his family for the past 12 years. His brothers, Muhammad Ali and Uzair, are also part of the criminal network. Jordan has been overseeing drug smuggling operations into Pakistan from Canada, the USA, and Mexico.
Investigation findings revealed that the criminal organization had acquired three luxurious villas in the DHA area using funds obtained from drug trafficking activities. It was alleged that the family had been utilizing these properties as storage and distribution centers for narcotics in the provincial capital and other cities.
During the operation, law enforcement authorities successfully confiscated a substantial quantity of high-value drugs. A police officer stated that the seized drugs included 110kg of marijuana, 130 Vapes, 4kg of cannabis, 4kg of ice, 130g of cocaine, 5,500 packing materials, 9 CBD vapes, 9kg of cannabis chocolates, 18 Vovo Packwoods, 21 element rolling tips, 11 nectar collector sets, and 17 Gorilla Glues.
Furthermore, the OCU (Organized Crime Unit) provided a detailed briefing to Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz regarding the criminal network shortly after the significant breakthrough.
In addition, DIG Kishwar highlighted that the apprehension of nine armed guards demonstrated the gang’s propensity for violence and their well-structured organization.
Mr. Kishwar further explained that the drug traffickers employed a sophisticated combination of international and domestic channels for the procurement and distribution of illicit substances. Internationally, they smuggled drugs through reputable courier services with the involvement of corrupt officials. On the domestic front, the syndicate utilized online platforms and covert groups to facilitate the circulation of drugs within the country, according to the DIG.
An extensive inquiry is currently being conducted to track the supply chain all the way to lower-level distributors and end-users. Additional investigation will reveal more information about the intricate connections and operations of the cartel, as stated by the CIA SP Furqan Bilal.
Regarding the value of the confiscated drugs, CIA SP Furqan Bilal mentioned that the cost of 500 puffs of a drug retrieved from the gang amounted to Rs70,000.
