KARACHI: As part of its on-going crackdown against smuggling particularly diesel smuggling from Iran, the Customs Intelligence and Investigation (I&I) foiled an attempt to smuggle huge quantity of Iranian origin High Speed Diesel Oil.
An information was received that a racket of smugglers was trying to transport smuggled HSD oil of Iranian origin into Sindh and Punjab through Baluchistan.
Lutuffullah Virk, Director General, Customs Intelligence, Pakistan directed Muhammad Asif Marghoob Siddiqui, Director Customs Intelligence, Karachi to take measures to nab the delinquent elements.
Special teams headed by Inam Ullah Wazir and Amjad Hussain Rajper, Deputy Directors were constituted to mount surveillance in order to check any such attempt.
As a result of reconnaissance, the special teams deputed for the interception impounded 220,000 Liters of Iranian Origin Smuggled HSD Oil.
Deputy Director Quetta Inamullah Wazir detained seven Oil Tankers carrying around 170,000 Liters of Iranians Origin HSD Oil near Khuzdar, Baluchistan. Similarly, the Intelligence team operating in Sindh headed by Deputy Director Amjad Rajper seized 50,000 Liters of Iranian Origin HSD Oil, while entering, Sindh near Shaikarpur.
It was informed that the HSD Oil was concealed in huge LPG Bowser and likely to be delivered in Sadqabad, Punjab. This subterfuge way of transporting smuggled HSD Oil has been exposed for the first time during the seizure. Sources said that an OGRA licensed importer filed a Goods Declaration declaring LPG and got the consignment cleared from Taftan Collectorate.
Criminal proceedings have been initiated against the accused persons after registering FIRs. Directorate of Customs Intelligence has launched a concerted campaign against the smuggling of Iranian Origin HSD Oil and seized huge quantity of Oil during last six months. Mr Lutuffullah Virk, DG, Customs Intelligence has met the heads of different agencies and all including levies, coast guards, FC, Rangers and DG I&I are coordinating to eliminate the menace.
Virk has also ordered to check money laundering cases as according to reports currency is being smuggled to Iran. Details are being sorted out and it is anticipated that a money-laundering racket could be unearthed. Foreign currency is also reported to be smuggled through launches.