KARACHI: Anti-smuggling organization (ASO) Preventive Karachi has seized large quantity of betel nut, grinded tobacco, chemical and printed packing material from a warehouse situated at the compound of M/s A.G, near Ghani Chowrangi in Karachi.

Information was received through Collector Preventive Dr. Iftikhar and Additional Collector Aamir Theim that smuggled betel nut is concealed/dumped in the said premises. Aamir Theim is monitoring and Deputy Collector Mohammad Faisal is leading the campaign against the smuggling.

A team headed by Mohammad Faisal and comprising SPS Khalid Tabassum, SPO Mohammad Tayyab and SPO Tariq Mahmood raided the warehouses and recovered a huge quantity of betel nut, grinded tobacco, Katha (black cutch) chemical Panasa magnesium carbonate loaded in two Suzuki pick-ups.

It was also observed that there were some machines installed in the premises for crushing of betel nut, mixing with tobacco and chemicals and ultimate packing in shape of pouches in a very hazardous environment.

The manager of the shed identified as Nadeem Ahmed was asked to contact the tenants of the shed, but the contact was not established. It was also known that the shed was owned by Mohammad Atiq who was in Saudi Arabia. The tenants were identified as Wahid and Faisal Ghanchi.

The ASO staff seized the recovered goods including the Suzuki Pick-ups having a cumulative value of Rs241.663 million and loged an FIR against Wahid, Faisal Ghanchi and others.