This is in reply to the letter by ABS Jafri on Monday, 11 November, which Mr Jafri wrote in response to my article titled ‘Drug menace and Pakistan’ and published on 9 November. The question you asked is very pertinent and the answer is that till the decision of the case by the court, the narcotics seized are kept intact as they have to be produced in the court as case property (evidence). While deciding the case the court usually orders that the confiscated narcotics be destroyed by burning. All such narcotics are burnt, usually on 26th June every year which is World Drug Day. Narcotics once seized cannot go to the market.
ALTAF QAMAR
Former Inspector General of Police