KARACHI: Anti-smuggling organization (ASO) Preventive Lahore has seized large quantity of smuggled fruits worth Rs8.1 million.

Information was received through Collector MCC Preventive Lahore Faiz Ahmed that attempt would be made to transport smuggled commodity from Quetta to Lahore.

The ASO team supervised by Deputy Collector ASO Mohammad Moazzam Raza and comprising Superintendent Agha Qadeer Jaider, Inspectors Nasir Saeed, Azam Wattoo, Sajjad Bukhari, AMjad Khan and sepoys kept strict vigilance on the movement of cargo.

Subsequently, the team spotted a trailer No. TLE-438 coming from Quetta at Motor Way interchange Shera Kot. On examination, the vehicle was found to be loaded with smuggled/non duty paid New Zealand origin apples weighing 20 tons.

The approximate value of the seized goods is Rs8.1 million. A case has been registered and further investigations are under way.

It may be mentioned here that Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has undertaken a crackdown against smuggled goods as smuggling inflicts collateral loss onto the economy.