QUETTA: Customs I&I Quetta has seized 8,000 liters of smuggled diesel worth Rs0.94 million, which was being transported in a Hino truck. The value of the vehicle, also seized, is Rs7.0 million.
Specific information was received from Director Muhammad Ismail that a Hino Truck loaded with diesel is plying near Noshki, Quetta.
Deputy Director Syed Raza Naqvi mounted surveillance. During the course of surveillance, the staff of Intelligence & Investigation Customs comprising Intelligence Officer S. Hamid Habib, LDC Zuhaib Mujeeb and sepoys, intercepted the said Hino Truck loaded with Diesel in Extra Fitted Tank.
The intercepted vehicle was brought to the office of the Directorate of Intelligence & Investigation – Customs, Quetta for further probe.
It may be mentioned here about five years ago, former Collector Preventive Tariq Huda (Now Member Customs) had initiated a crackdown against illegal fuel stations selling smuggled fuel.
On the directives of Prime Minister, a crackdown is underway against smuggled fuels.
Sources said border agencies and Customs were all involved in smuggling of fuel, and the sources claimed billions of rupees (pool) was running for distribution among the Customs staff and other border agencies.
An official said a crackdown was launched on the directives of Prime Minister Imran Khan against smuggling and corruption. Authorities have tightened the grip so hard that smuggling is reduced to minimal, and smugglers are forced to transport smuggled commodity through novel methods, such as through hidden tanks in poultry trucks.