ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Anti Narcotics Force (ANF) said on Friday that it helped seize 671 kilograms of methamphetamine from ports in Karachi and Colombo cities, accusing a transnational narcotics trafficking network for smuggling Afghan-origin drugs to global markets through Pakistan.

The ANF said in a press release that it carried out a successful operation against the narcotics trafficking network which led to the recovery of 200 kilograms of meth from a container at Karachi Port. The anti-narcotics body said it arrested an Afghan national named Ehsan Ullah, describing him as the “mastermind” of the group. It said Ehsan Ullah’s local affiliates were also arrested.

The ANF said it retrieved critical information about the narcotics operation after interrogating Ehsan Ullah. This information was shared with Sri Lankan authorities and the US-based Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), it said, adding that it led to the recovery of 471 kilograms of meth from Colombo Port.

“During this international joint operation against narcotics trafficking, a total of 671 kg Methamphetamine (Ice) linked to the Afghanistan-based drug trafficking network was seized from Karachi and Colombo ports,” the Pakistani anti-narcotics body said.

Afghanistan has historically been the epicenter of poppy cultivation and a major supplier of global opiates. The ANF has admitted to a rise in drugs and narcotics smuggling in Pakistan over the past few years, saying that the majority of those affected are the country’s youth.

The ANF has in the past alleged that the rise of synthetic drugs production in Afghanistan is the reason for growing substance abuse in neighboring Pakistan. Afghanistan’s government has rejected these allegations, calling it an attempt to malign the Taliban-led government.

The ANF said in its press release from Friday that Pakistan remains a “victim state” for Afghan-origin drugs.

The anti -narcotics force said it cooperates with allied and partner agencies to conduct coordinated counter-narcotics operations.

“Anti Narcotics Force played a pivotal role throughout the operation by utilizing advanced intelligence-based strategies to identify the drug trafficking network,” it said.

The development takes place amid strained ties between Pakistan and Afghanistan, with the former blaming the latter for facilitating attacks against its law enforcers. Afghanistan denies the allegations and urges Pakistan to resolve its security challenges on its own.

Surging militant attacks in Pakistan have led to both sides engaging in fierce clashes in October 2025 and February this year.