Colombo: Sri Lankan authorities and Pakistan’s Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) have seized a total of 671 kilograms of methamphetamine, commonly known as “ice,” in a joint operation targeting an Afghan drug trafficking network, the ANF said in a statement on Friday.
The operation was conducted at the ports of Karachi, Pakistan, and Colombo, Sri Lanka, following intelligence shared by the ANF.
According to the ANF, as part of an intelligence-based operation against an international drug trafficking network, the ANF in July 2026 seized 200kg of methamphetamine from a container at Karachi Port.
The operation led to the arrest of two members of the network, including its alleged Afghan ringleader, Ehsanullah.
Following an analysis of information obtained during the suspects’ interrogation, the ANF shared key details about the network’s criminal activities with Sri Lankan authorities and the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
Based on the intelligence provided by the ANF, Sri Lankan authorities, in a joint operation, seized another 471kg of methamphetamine from two containers at Colombo Port. Six members of the network were also arrested during the subsequent operation.
IHC orders release of convict arrested in China in drug case
The combined operation resulted in the seizure of 671kg of methamphetamine allegedly smuggled from Afghanistan.
The ANF said the drugs were intended to be transported to international markets using Pakistani territory as a transit route.
The force said it played a central role throughout the operation by identifying the trafficking network through an intelligence-led strategy. Timely information sharing and effective cooperation between the ANF and international law enforcement agencies enabled the authorities in Sri Lanka to take action against the network.
The ANF said its role in the operation was officially appreciated by Sri Lankan authorities and the US Drug Enforcement Administration.
The force described the operation as a demonstration of its professional capabilities and effective cooperation with international law enforcement agencies.
