SARGODHA: In a significant bust, the Collectorate of Customs Enforcement Sargodha has seized a massive amount of High Speed Diesel (HSD) and Petroleum Oil Lubricants (POL) worth Rs158.6 million. The enforcement team in Sargodha intercepted 575,648 liters of HSD/POL during February-April 2023.
On the directives of Collector Sargodha Mohammad Ismail, Assistant Collector Naeem Akhter has tightened the vigilance and expedited anti-smuggling activities.
This success in Sargodha was followed by similar efforts from 10 other collectorates across the country. Together, they seized 685,502 liters of various POL products amounting to Rs159.94 million. This coordinated effort by the Customs Enforcement teams has dealt a significant blow to the illegal trade of petroleum products in the country.
According to officials, the smuggled HSD/POL was being transported to various parts of the country for sale in the black market. Such illegal activities not only cause significant losses to the national exchequer but also pose a serious threat to the country’s energy security.
The Customs Enforcement teams are working tirelessly to curb the menace of illegal trade of petroleum products. The recent seizures indicate that their efforts are paying off, and they are determined to continue the crackdown on such illegal activities.
The seized HSD/POL and other POL products will be disposed of according to the established procedures. The authorities have also initiated investigations to identify the individuals and organizations involved in this illegal trade.
This latest crackdown sends a strong message to all those involved in the illegal trade of petroleum products that the government is determined to take stern action against them. The authorities have called upon citizens to cooperate with them in their efforts to eliminate such illegal activities from the country.