KARACHI: ASO of MCC Preventive Karachi has seized large quantity of foreign origin cloth and polyester yarn worth Rs150.132 million and lodged FIR against the persons involved in the act, which are yet to be ascertained.

Information was received through Collector Saquif Saeed to Additional Collector Haroon Malik to the effect that considerable quantity of smuggled / non-duty paid foreign origin Cloth and Polyester Yarn have been secreted in a Godown situated at North Karachi Industrial Area and would likely to be removed from that premises shortly.

ASO team headed by the Assistant Collector Shafiullah reached at the identified Godown and found that no one was present there to own the Godown and goods concealed therein. Since the specific source information existed with regard to concealment of smuggled / non duty paid foreign origin cloth and Yarn and there was also danger that the impugned goods may be removed from the premises shortly.

Therefore, it was considered inevitable to conduct the search of the Godown instantly, which led to recovery of foreign origin cloth and polyester yarn. The goods have been seized and FIR is lodged, Further investigations are underway.

An official said ASO Preventive Karachi led by Collector Saquif Saeed and his team of smuggling eliminators comprising Additional Collector Haroon Malik, Assistant Collector Shafiullah and others have implemented the writ of Customs in the city and smuggling has been reduced to a significant extent.

The official said whenever Customs tried to implement the government writ, they were faced with complaints and litigation, however, this time ASO Preventive is not taking any pressure and continuing the anti-smuggling campaign, the most efficient in the country’s history.

Member Customs Tariq Huda has empowered Collectors and is not interfering in the affairs of collectorates.