KARACHI: The Directorate General of Intelligence & Investigation, Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has lodged an FIR booking five persons as they were caught red-handed attempting to smuggle huge quantity of foreign liquor.
According to details, in pursuance of information, the staff of Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA) Karachi, during patrolling in the coastal area intercepted 05 persons and recovered huge quantity of liquor (whisky bottles & beer cans).
The accused along with the seized booty were handed over to Directorate General for assistance and initiation of proceedings under the relevant provisions of law.
The accused persons have been identified as Abdul Ghafoor, Abdul Latif, Babop, Waqas Mayar Muhammad & Asghar Ali.
According to the inventory prepared by Anti-smuggling Organization (ASO) of I&I, the seized goods include 10035 bottles and 360 cans of foreign origin liquor and beer worth Rs51.975 million.
Earlier in a press conference, Deputy Director General PMSA, Commodore Rehan Aziz Khan said that they had the information regarding attempt of smuggling liquor into the country and added that they had already tightened the security and as soon as a suspicious movement was tracked, it was raided.
He said that PMSA was quite capable of eliminating any sort of criminal activity carried out in the Pakistani waters.
Director Intelligence & Investigation (Customs) Asif Marghoob Siddiqui said that as per the directives of Director General I&I Lutfullah virk, a crackdown had been initiated against the smugglers.
In the year 2015 so far, PMSA and Customs in their joint operations had seized liquor, diesel and other goods worth Rs250 million.