Known locally as ‘Location Network’, the strategy enables major dealers to deliver drugs across the country and beyond
KHYBER: The authorities seized 300 kilograms of high-quality hashish, 2.5 kilograms of opium, and various weapons from the suspects.—MM file photo
KHYBER: Drug traffickers in Khyber District have increasingly adopted advanced technology to facilitate their operations, utilizing Google Maps and other digital tools to enhance the secrecy and efficiency of their drug distribution networks. This modern method, locally known as the “Location Network,” leverages GPS coordinates and messaging apps to streamline the trafficking process both domestically and internationally.
Instead of engaging in traditional hand-to-hand drug transactions, smugglers in Khyber now place drugs at designated locations in various cities and villages. They photograph these locations and share the images, along with GPS coordinates, through WhatsApp with main dealers in Khyber. These dealers then forward the details to buyers, who can collect the drugs without direct interaction. Payments are processed electronically via bank transfers, reducing physical contact and enhancing operational security.
Owal Gul, a local resident involved in this sophisticated network, confirmed that he had been directed to distribute drugs in Sialkot, Punjab. He described the operation as efficient and well-organized, with major dealers managing both national and international networks. This approach, which minimizes physical interactions, is viewed as secure and effective by those involved. The network’s operations extend beyond Pakistan, reaching Gulf States and Western countries, with the United Arab Emirates emerging as a central hub.
Payments for the drugs are funneled through temporary or anonymous bank accounts, and WhatsApp accounts used by the network are often registered under fictitious names to avoid detection. Despite the complexity of the operation, local law enforcement is actively working to dismantle the network. Khyber District Police Officer Saleem Abbas acknowledged the challenges posed by the network’s discreet nature but emphasized that authorities are focusing on individuals who exhibit sudden wealth and scrutinizing their mobile devices for evidence.
Significant progress has been made in curbing the network’s activities. Over the past six months, local police, including DSP Sawal Zar Khan, SHO Adnan Afridi, SHO Muhammad Haroon, and ASI Muhammad Baz, have successfully dismantled a substantial portion of the network. They have registered 65 cases and arrested 120 individuals linked to the operation. Police have seized large quantities of drugs, including 7,041 kilograms of cannabis, 402 kilograms of opium, 437 kilograms of methamphetamine, and 605 kilograms of other substances, contributing to a decrease in drug trafficking activities in the Gulf region.
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