LAHORE: On the directives of Prime Minister Imran Khan, Customs authorities across the country have expedited anti-smuggling campaign.
Prime Minister Imran Khan has ordered authorities concerned to hold massive crackdown against smuggling in the country. Chairing a high-level meeting in Islamabad the other day, he said the government would not tolerate elements involved in smuggling.
Based on authentic information from Collector Gwadar Tahir Qureshi, the Customs staff detained a vehicle and recovered 3000 kg of betel nuts from the cavities and concealment made under the floor of the container. Further investigations are underway.
Tahir Qureshi is a well reputed officer and recently posted as Collector Gwadar. He has strengthened the information and intelligence network, and more anti-smuggling initiatives are being introduced.
Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO) of D.I Khan has recovered large quantity of smuggled goods worth Rs37 million.
Information was passed through Collector Khalil yousafani to Deputy collector Khayal Muhammad regarding movement of smuggled goods. Subsequently, the staff of ASO D.I khan seized huge quantity of non duty paid USA origin almonds weighing 4.0 tons, Vietnam origin black pepper weighing 6.0 tons and without shell ground nuts having weight around 4.0c tons from Tank – DI Khan road loaded in a ten wheeler Hino truck.
A case has been framed under relevant provision of the Customs Act 1969. Reportedly these non duty paid goods were concealed under ordinary timber carried to Punjab from South Waziristan.
Chief Collector Dr. Asif Mahmood Jah and Collector Enforcement Peshawar Khalil Yousafani appreciated efforts of the ASO staff DI khan particularly on effecting a mega case at the time of lockdown and risk of corona virus.
On information passed through Collector Basit Maqsood Abbasi to Additional Collector Saeed Wattoo, ASO Lahore recovered betel nut and other smuggled goods worth Rs225 million from a warehouse in Sheikhupura.
The seized goods include betel nut, sweet Supari, BOPP film, artificial flavor and chemicals. A case has been lodged and investigation is underway.
Enhanced vigilance has been mounted by MCC Preventive Quetta with support of FC Balochistan, so that unscrupulous elements could not take advantage of COV1D-19 emergency.
Acting on a credible information received from Collector Yaqoob Mako to Deputy Collector Qasim Khokhar, staff of Customs Noshki in active support FC raided a godown at Qadirabad near Noshki and recovered 25.5 tons of smuggled of Betel Nuts and 62 tyres of Indian Origin.
The joint team impounded 3 Irani origin Zambad vehicles and 3 Pakistani make old and used motor cycles with cumulative value of Rs 2.18 million.
Similarly , during routine checking at Check Post Noshki, 2.2 tons of of Motor Cycle chains of foreign origin were seized..
Moreover, a raid on a godown in Tartan area recovered 10.5 tons of Betel Nuts and 4.95 tons of China Salt.
The total value of above mentioned seized goods is Rs 30 millions.
An official said it was the first time they had been given a free hand to act against smuggling.