LAHORE: Directorate of Customs Intelligence and Investigation Lahore (I&I Lahore) has seized large quantity of smuggled cosmetics (Indian origin) worth Rs322.5 million.
In continuation of unbridled and un-relentless Anti-Smuggling sprees and interceptions, I&I received credible information that huge cache of cosmetic goods and its ancillary imported items are being smuggled across the city evading huge amount of duty and taxes.
Being rightly tipped off, the Anti-Smuggling squads, complying with the direction of Syed Asad Raza Rizvi, Director I&I and under aegis of Hassan Farid Additional Director, pursued the vehicle loaded with contraband and smuggled imported goods and nabbed the vehicle which was Mazda Van near Bhani Chowk (Data Darbar) Lahore and started search of the inner crevices of the vehicle.
During search of the impugned vehicle, huge cartons of imported cosmetic items mainly of Indian Origin were recovered in huge quantity. These goods along with Mazda Van shifted to the State WareHouse (SWI-I) of the Directorate for proper examination, assessment and further investigation.
Directorate collected corroborative evidence and with the active support of the informers hunted down the miscreants and smugglers involved in this act. The Directorate chased down and raided a godown situated across the western end of the River Ravi near Saggian Bridge and took over the godown, replete with abundant storage of cosmetics and its related products in enormous quantity after brief resistance from the inmates of that godown.
It was revealed that the godown is owned by notorious smuggler namely Waheed Khan, who belongs to Peshawar. Directorate has shifted 18 loaded Mazda Vans from the godown to the Directorate premises. Goods which were recovered are of prime quality, of Indian Origin and in huge numbers.
An FIR is lodged and investigation is underway.