By: Vibhuti Pathak
A major breakthrough was achieved by the Organised Crime Unit (OCU) of Lahore police, as they successfully dismantled an international drug syndicate known as the ‘Jordan Gang’. Led by Ayub Khan, alias Jordan, the gang operated for the last 12 years, with operations spanning Central Asia, Mexico, the US, and Canada. Their main clientele included upper-class youth and selected students of universities and other academic institutes in Lahore and Multan.
The bust, confirmed by OCU DIG Imran Kishwar, was the result of a comprehensive two-month intelligence operation, culminating in coordinated raids in Phase VI of the DHA. Despite the arrests of several key members, including Muhammad Ali, Uzair, Muhammad Nadeem, Samina Iftikhar, and Fatima Zahra, Ayub Jordan remains at large, believed to be operating from Thailand.
The gang’s sophisticated operations involved smuggling illicit substances internationally through reputable courier services, often with the assistance of corrupt officials. Domestically, they utilized online platforms and covert groups to facilitate drug circulation within Pakistan. Social media was also used to conduct drug deals, with fake IDs maintaining anonymity. Financial transactions were managed through numerous bank accounts, primarily in the name of a woman suspect, Samina Iftikhar, and her son Uzair.
During the raids, police seized a significant amount of narcotics, including 110kg of weed, 130 vapes, 4 kg of cannabis, 4 kg of ice, 130 gms of cocaine, and other related items. The gang’s assets, earned through drug smuggling, included three villas in the DHA in Lahore, allegedly used for drug storage and distribution.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz was briefed about the racket following the arrests. The investigation is ongoing to trace the syndicate’s supply chain to lower-level distributors and end-users, shedding light on the deeper connections and activities of the cartel.
