GUJAR KHAN: Jhelum police have arrested officials involved in drug peddling, honey trapping and running prostitution dens in the areas under the Civil Lines police station of Jhelum. The police also recovered heavy consignments of contraband from their possession and separate cases have been registered in two police stations of Jhelum city.

The district police officer (DPO) Jhelum, Nasir Mahmood Bajwa stated that internal monitoring of police stations revealed the illegal activities of these officers, prompting police action during investigations and information-based raids.

According to police sources, Bilal Hussain, a resident of Chakwal, reported to the Civil Lines police station that he had fallen victim to a ‘honey trap’ set by a woman in connivance with the police. The officers, who were already present at the location, blackmailed him into paying Rs 0.4 million. As per the complaint, the officers seized the victim’s Honda 125 motorcycle, manhandled him and threatened to implicate him for abducting a girl if he disclosed the incident to anyone. The Civil Lines police station registered an FIR under section 395 against constables Mazhar Haider, Mohsin and Iqrar, who were stationed at the City police station, while Ms. Sidra and four other unknown individuals were also booked. The police have also recovered 1.2 kg of ice from the possession of constable Mazhar Haider and during the raid, a woman identified as Ansa was also arrested. A case has been registered under section 9C of the Control of Narcotics Act at the Civil Lines police station.

Mr Qamar Sultan, the station house officer of PS City, Jhelum stated that further investigations led to the recovery of 1.2kg of heroin from a civilian, Yausif, and 1.08kg of heroin from Waqas Habib, another civilian, both believed to be accomplices of constable Mazhar Haider.

Another accomplice, identified as Ahsan was also arrested with 1.2kg of hashish in his possession. A separate case under section 9C of the CNS Act was registered at the PS City police station, Jhelum.

DPO Nasir Bajwa emphasised that the internal monitoring of police stations had been effective and yielded these results. He said that the noose was being tightened against such black sheep involved in tarnishing the image of the police force. He added that the suspects had rented a house in Jhelum and were running a prostitution den and used to blackmail people. He said that there was no place for such elements in the police. According to the officer, raids were also being conducted against other members of this ring, including constable Mohsin, Sidra, and others, and further investigations were also underway.

Published in Dawn, September 13th, 2024