KARACHI: MCC Gwadar has foiled a bid to smuggle narcotics and seized the booty worth Rs37.7 million, which is being smuggled to Karachi from Afghanistan.
The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) is pursuing a rigorous anti-smuggling drive. Chief Collector Customs Enforcement South Mohammad Zahid Khokhar has been playing an instrumental role in this campaign. Zahid Khokhar has advised all the formations particularly MCC Quetta and MCC Gwadar to keep strict vigilance on the movement of smuggled goods as well as contrabands.
According to the details of the case, Collector Gwadar Saeed Akram had received Information that contraband foreign origin narcotics are being smuggled from Afghanistan to Karachi via RCD Highway on a mini truck. These narcotics were to be then smuggled abroad.
Saeed Akram communicated the information to Additional Collector Junaid Ahmed Memon with directives to take appropriate action.
Memon formed a raiding team comprising Assistant Collector Kaleemullah and Superintendent Muhammad Saleem Khokhar.
Mobile Squad Khurkhara setup fielding at Khurkhera and stop the suspected vehicle, which was loaded with crates of rotten fruits. Upon thorough examination high quality hashish weighing 466 kg was found clandestinely concealed in the crates of rotten fruits. Both accused were arrested and the Vehicle is seized.
The market value of the seized Hashish is Rs37.7 million. The value of vehicle is taken as Rs2.5 million. Total value of the seized contraband hashish and vehicle is Rs40.2. FIR in the case has been lodged and further investigations are underway.
It may be mentioned here that government is committed to eliminate smuggling, as this not only deprives national exchequer of revenue, it also hurts the economy overall. More alarmingly, the money made from this dirty business has known to be the prime source of funding terrorist and separatists groups.
MCC Quetta and MCC Gwadar have played an instrumental role in curbing the menace and movement of smuggled goods is controlled to a significant extent.
Sources said that the chain involved in fruits business was primarily involved in the smuggling of goods including narcotics. The fruit vendors at and around Karachi’s fruit markets are said to be doing the drug business and the narcotics are transported to Karachi in fruit vehicles and are distributed by the vendors just like fruits.