In a major crackdown on the illicit trade of government-provided drugs, Quetta police have apprehended the District Health Officer (DHO) of Washuk, recovering a massive cache of medicines from his possession during a late-night operation.
Late-Night Checkpoint Operation Leads to Arrest
The incident unfolded in the early hours of Wednesday near the Mian Ghundi checkpoint on Mastung Road. Acting on a tip-off that government medicines from other districts were being illegally funneled into Quetta for sale, a police team from New Sariab police station set up strict vehicle checks. The operation was spearheaded by SDPO Shalkot Attar Rasheed and SHO New Sariab Fateh Sher.
At approximately 2 am, police stopped a vehicle whose occupant identified himself as Dr. Muhammad Akbar, the serving DHO of Washuk district. A subsequent search of his vehicle yielded a shocking discovery.
Massive Haul of Medicines Meant for Free Distribution
Officers recovered 30 cartons filled with various types of medicines. These drugs, procured by the government, are intended to be provided free of charge to patients at public healthcare facilities across Balochistan.
Police immediately placed Dr. Akbar under arrest, seizing both the medicines and the vehicle used for transport. A formal case was registered on the complaint of the station house officer (SHO). Preliminary estimates by police sources value the seized consignment at over Rs10 million.
Curbing Smuggling and Protecting Public Health
Authorities stated that the intercepted medicines were allegedly being transported to Quetta for illegal sale in the local market. This seizure is seen as a critical intervention that prevented significant financial loss to the health department and, more importantly, averted shortages of essential drugs for impoverished patients reliant on government hospitals.
Police have described the arrest as a significant step in ongoing efforts to dismantle networks involved in the smuggling and misuse of government medicines in the province. Senior officials of the Balochistan Health Department have been notified of the incident.
Investigations are now actively underway to determine the source of the medicines and uncover whether Dr. Akbar was part of a larger smuggling ring. The case highlights the ongoing challenges in ensuring that vital medical supplies reach their intended beneficiaries—the sick and the poor.
