Islamabad International Airport has become a major focus of recent anti-smuggling operations by Pakistan Customs.
Customs officials have reported two significant narcotics seizures at the airport within nine days.
The combined estimated value of the suspected drugs is around Rs. 970 million.
In the latest operation, Customs officials recovered approximately 24 kilograms of suspected cannabis.
The drugs were allegedly found from a foreign passenger arriving at Islamabad International Airport.
Officials estimated the high-end retail value of the recovered material at around Rs. 310 million.
Sources said Customs received intelligence about a possible narcotics smuggling attempt.
A special vigilance team was then deployed to monitor international arrivals.
The operation was conducted under the supervision of an Assistant Collector.
The team reportedly intercepted a foreign passenger arriving from Thailand.
Officials conducted a search according to the applicable legal procedures.
The search led to the recovery of the suspected cannabis.
Customs officials seized the material and took it into official custody.
An FIR was also registered against the accused under relevant Pakistani laws.
The latest case follows another major drug seizure at the same airport.
On September 26, Customs officials recovered approximately 35 kilograms of suspected hashish.
The material was allegedly found inside the luggage of an arriving passenger.
The passenger had travelled on Thai Airways flight TG-349.
Authorities estimated the value of the recovered hashish at more than Rs. 660 million.
Together, the two seizures have an estimated value of nearly Rs. 970 million.
The developments have increased attention on narcotics trafficking through Islamabad International Airport.
Customs authorities continue to use intelligence-based operations to detect suspected smuggling attempts.
Officials are also increasing vigilance around international passengers and incoming flights.
The airport seizures are part of wider efforts against narcotics trafficking in the country.
A separate operation was also conducted by Islamabad Customs on the M-2 Motorway.
On October 2, officials recovered approximately 1,200 kilograms of suspected charas or hashish.
The drugs were allegedly concealed inside a vehicle during the intelligence-based operation.
Authorities also recovered around 100 kilograms of poppy seeds.
The international market value of the seized narcotics was estimated at approximately Rs. 5.40 billion.
Including the vehicle and other recovered items, the total value reached around Rs. 5.41 billion.
The motorway operation significantly increased the overall quantity of suspected narcotics seized recently.
The airport cases and motorway operation together involved about 1,259 kilograms of suspected cannabis or hashish.
The separately recovered poppy seeds brought the total recovered material even higher.
Authorities have continued strengthening enforcement against drug trafficking across major transport routes.
The recent operations also highlight the role of intelligence in identifying suspected narcotics shipments.
Customs officials are expected to maintain increased vigilance at Islamabad airport and other key entry points.
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Further legal proceedings will determine the outcome of the cases registered against the accused.
