KARACHI: The Anti-Smuggling Organisation (ASO) of the Collectorate of Customs Enforcement Karachi, alongside Sindh Rangers and the Special Security Unit (SSU) of Sindh Police, executed a targeted raid on warehouses and dumping locations within Bolton Market, Karachi.
The joint raiding team successfully seized a substantial cache of assorted high-end smuggled cigarettes and 1.4 metric tons of various smuggled Guthka. These seized goods were loaded onto four Mazda trucks and transported to the ASO headquarters. The estimated value of the seizure exceeds 200 million.
All security and law enforcement agencies including Rangers, FC, Levies, Police and District Administration are legally bound to assist Customs. It is the first time that all agencies are on the same page, which has resulted in a major successful anti-smuggling campaign.
An official said this is an opportune time to break the network of smuggling as the COAS Asim Munir is totally supporting the Customs. The official said movement of smuggling has stopped, and now Customs is targeting the warehouses and dumping places of smuggled goods.
Under the leadership of Collector Customs Enforcement Karachi, Mr. Basit Maqsood Abbasi, the Collectorate of Customs Enforcement has reinvigorated its anti-smuggling efforts, showcasing a series of successful operations. Over the months of August and September 2023, seizures worth billions of rupees have been made. Mr. Basit Maqsood Abbasi, assisted by Additional Collector Mr. Amanullah Tareen, Assistant Collector Mr. Aman Sadiq and Principal Appraiser ASO Azhar Malik, have demonstrated exceptional leadership.
Mr. Abbasi’s dynamic leadership is evident in the establishment of close collaborations with Sindh Rangers, SSU of Sindh Police, Intelligence Bureau, and other Law Enforcement Agencies. Furthermore, he has cultivated a network of informers providing crucial tip-offs on smuggled goods. His direct and personal supervision of anti-smuggling operations reflects a keen interest and dedication to the anti-smuggling cause. He has constituted two Special Mobile Squads ensuring availability of ASO staff round the clock for any intelligence-based operation.
The Enforcement Collectorate’s recent achievements include the seizure of six oil containers, containing 145,000 liters of Iranian diesel on September 2, 2023, marking a significant blow to oil smugglers. Additionally, two containers cleared from the Port, carrying high-value smuggled goods worth about 180 million rupees, were seized, highlighting a notable case of port smuggling. Another port container loaded with smuggled goods worth 30 million rupees was also successfully intercepted. In September alone, the Collectorate has seized smuggled goods worth about 1,300 million rupees, leading the charge in the anti-smuggling campaign.