Pakistan, Qatar anti-narcotics teams seize 4.48kg cocaine Islamabad airport

Islamabad – (Web Desk) – Authorities in Pakistan have recovered around 4.48 kilograms of cocaine at Islamabad International Airport and detained two individuals during a joint operation with Qatar, according to the Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF). Officials explained that Pakistan is located on key smuggling routes linking South Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, where airports — especially transit hubs like Doha — are often used by drug couriers.

The ANF said the operation was launched after stronger cooperation agreements were formed during the GCC Counter-Narcotics Conference held in Islamabad in April 2025. The force added that this successful action shows how better intelligence sharing and close coordination between Pakistan and Qatar are helping stop international drug trafficking networks.

“Cocaine — a highly dangerous and expensive narcotic, often linked to elite consumption — is increasingly being trafficked into Pakistan. ANF remains vigilant in monitoring and disrupting its inflow.”

Pakistan, Qatar seize 4.48 kg cocaine at Islamabad airport, arrest two suspects in a joint anti-narcotics operation. https://t.co/BTyDcK1yHa pic.twitter.com/N6FU0Ztsia

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The force said officers intercepted a Pakistani woman arriving from Sharjah via Doha after receiving shared intelligence and recovered cocaine concealed in a hand-carried trolley bag.

During questioning, investigators said the passenger identified a handler waiting outside the arrivals area, after which authorities detained a second suspect and seized a vehicle.

Investigators said the bag had allegedly been handed to the courier during transit at Hamad International Airport in Doha by a foreign national on instructions from handlers based in the United Arab Emirates, and that coordinated investigations were underway in both countries.

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The ANF said the case highlighted cross-border trafficking networks using international transit routes and couriers, adding that the suspects and seized narcotics would remain in custody pending further investigation.