How Pinky, Karachi’s ‘cocaine queen’, built a vast drug network, and was finally caught

Karachi’s ‘cocaine queen’ has been arrested by the authorities.

The drug trafficker Anmol, also known as ‘Pinky’, has been arrested after a joint operation between the Karachi police and Pakistan’s federal authorities. She is said to have built a vast network across several cities in Pakistan and even marketed her own brand of cocaine.

“A female suspect identified as Anmol alias Pinki, allegedly involved in supplying cocaine and other deadly narcotics across the city, has been arrested,” a statement from the police said. It added that the accused was “most-wanted” by police and had been absconding in several cases. “One pistol, cocaine worth millions of rupees, chemicals, and other narcotics were recovered from the accused,” the statement added.

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But who is ‘Pinky’, the cocaine queen now under arrest? What do we know about her?

Let’s take a closer look.

Early years and rise

According to Aaj.TV, Pinky was born in Karachi in 1995. She grew up in the city’s Baloch Para area. According to the outlet, she developed relationships with drug dealers at a young age.

According to ARY News, ‘Pinky’ left home at the age of 14. She is thought to have had ambitions of becoming a model. Aaj.TV reported that she cultivated relationships with influential personalities via dance parties. These relationships were key to her later setting up her drug cartel.

Sources told ARY News that ‘Pinky’ married an international lawyer with links to the international cocaine trade. It was then that she decided to enter the illicit business. ‘Pinky’ then divorced the lawyer and allegedly married a police officer. She then proceeded to widen her drug operations with the help of her brothers Nasir and Shaukat. She also conducted research online on how to produce cocaine.

The Tribune quoted South Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG) Syed Asad Raza as saying, “Nasir allegedly sends narcotics from Punjab to Karachi through girls; meanwhile, Shaukat has previously been arrested in Karachi by Gizri and Saddar Police Stations.”

Sources told ARY News that ‘Pinky’ was arrested by the police in Punjab five years ago. However, she was released after reportedly paying a bribe of Rs 2.4 crore.

According to AAJ.TV, ‘Pinky’at one point used acid to remove her fingerprints in order to evade arrest and identification.

Providing cocaine to elite clientele

According to The Tribune, ‘Pinky’ is said to have marketed her cocaine with the slogan “Queen Madam Pinky - the name alone is enough, enjoy”. Her network is said to have spread from Karachi to Lahore, Islamabad, and other cities.

Police said that ‘Pinky’ was a source of drugs for affluent neighbourhoods, including DHA and Clifton. She also personally manufactured high-grade cocaine and set up deliveries through female riders and online platforms. As per Samaa TV, this includes social media apps like WhatsApp. Police said students from posh areas and the rich and powerful were clients of ‘Pinky’.

As per ARY News, ‘Pinky’ would send multiple packets of cocaine from Lahore to Karachi by train with two female couriers. Then, at the station, riders on motorbikes would pick up the packets and transport them to dealers.

Pinky is said to have provided cocaine to the rich and powerful. Representational image.

As per The Tribune, during interrogation 'Pinky' allegedly claimed that “no one in Pakistan makes better cocaine”. According to the police, she would market two types of cocaine: “White Coke” at Rs 8,850 per gram and “Golden Category” cocaine at Rs 13,728 per gram.

Police said they recovered cocaine hydrochloride, ketamine hydrochloride, ephedrine hydrochloride, acetone, and baking powder from the operation. They said this includes almost seven kilograms of raw chemicals and over one-and-a-half kilograms of prepared cocaine. Authorities say this is one of the biggest crackdowns on synthetic drug production in the region in recent memory.

As per ARY News, authorities say she owns a hotel in Gilgit. They allege that the girlfriend of her brother Nasir was also involved in the drug business. She allegedly helped provide cocaine to private parties in Karachi. Sources told the outlet that two of her brothers were previously arrested by Karachi Police in separate cases linked to narcotics.

As per The Tribune, a leaked audio recording purportedly of 'Pinky' is going viral on social media in the aftermath of her arrest. 'Pinky' in the clip allegedly mocked police and law enforcement. “We are working openly throughout Karachi - stop us if you can,” she is alleged to have said.

As per AAJ.TV, after her arrest, 'Pinky' was produced before the City Court. The local court sent her to jail on judicial remand and directed the investigating officer to submit a challan within 14 days.

Appearance in court goes viral

'Pinky'’s appearance in court to record a statement has gone viral.

This is because she was shown walking without handcuffs, wearing sunglasses and carrying a water bottle – which is not in keeping with standard operating procedures. The video shows the investigating officer walking behind 'Pinky' while guiding her.

According to India Today, Karachi Police Chief Javed Alam Odho has ordered an inquiry into the incident. Dawn quoted a statement from the office of Karachi Additional Inspector-General (AIG) Azad Khan as saying, “AIG Azad has immediately sought a detailed report from the South DIG regarding the incident and ordered an inquiry to determine the responsibilities of the relevant officers.”

Pinky’s appearance in court to record a statement has gone viral. Image courtesy: @theasttimes/X

“He clarified that all police officers and personnel are bound to perform their duties in accordance with the law and standard operating procedures (SOPs), and that any negligence or carelessness will not be tolerated under any circumstances,” it said.

Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar has also taken cognisance of the incident, as per Dawn. “The Sindh home minister has sought an immediate report from Karachi AIG Azad Khan and ordered a transparent inquiry into the incident,” a statement from his office said. “How was protocol provided to the accused? All responsible personnel should submit an explanation,” the statement quoted Lanjar as saying.

“Such conduct is unacceptable under any circumstances. Those found negligent should be punished in accordance with the law. No criminal is above the law, and every individual should be treated in accordance with the law,” he said. “The police uniform is a symbol of public trust.” He said no misuse of authority will be tolerated. “Strict action will be taken against those damaging the credibility of law enforcement agencies.”

“The Sindh government will make no compromise on the rule of law. Elements undermining citizens’ trust deserve no leniency,” the home minister said. “The Home Department is closely monitoring the matter, and further strict decisions will be taken after the report is received.”

FAQs

1. Who is Pinky, Karachi’s ‘cocaine queen’?

Anmol, also known as ‘Pinky’, is an alleged drug trafficker from Karachi who is accused of running a large cocaine network across multiple cities in Pakistan.

2. How did Pinky build her drug network?

Pinky is said to have developed connections with influential individuals early on and later expanded her operations with the help of her brothers. Authorities claim she used female couriers and online platforms to distribute cocaine.

3. Why has Pinky’s arrest gained widespread attention?

A viral video showing her without handcuffs during a court appearance has sparked scrutiny and led to an official inquiry.

With inputs from agencies