Peshawar: The Customs Import Peshawar has seized two trucks loaded with smuggled goods worth Rs10.9 million at Torkham border on Monday. The smuggled goods included Indian Gutkha, razor blades, fireworks and other items.
According to a press release issued by the Customs Import Peshawar, the operation was carried out after receiving credible information from Mr. Muhammad Ashfaq, Collector Customs (Appraisement), to Mr. Muhammad Rizwan, Additional Collector, Torkham. A team headed by Mr. Najeeb Arjuman, comprising of Mr. Mujahid Din, Superintendent (Import) Torkham, Mr. Muhammad Ayaz Khan, Inspector, Sepoys Faraz Khan and others, intercepted two suspected trucks at the import terminal Torkham.
The team searched the trucks and recovered large quantity of smuggled goods that were concealed in the hidden compartments of the vehicles. The value of the seized goods was estimated at Rs10.9 million. The drivers and owners of the trucks were arrested and a case was registered against them.
Customs Peshawar is committed to curb the menace of smuggling and protect the national economy. It also warned the smugglers to refrain from such illegal activities or face stern action. It said that further investigations were underway to trace the network of the smugglers.
Customs Appraisement staff at Border Station Torkham foiled an attempt of smuggling of precious stones from Afghanistan concealed inside 01 coal consignment.
In pursuance of a credible information received through Mr. Muhammad Ashfaq Collector Customs (Appraisement), Peshawar a team constituted by Mr. Muhammad Rizwn Additional Collector, Torkham headed by Mr. Najeeb Arjuman comprising of Mr. Mujahid Din Superintendent (Import) Torkham, Mr. Muhammad Ayaz Khan Inspector, Sepoys Faraz Khan and others intercepted a Trailer loaded with Coal and coming from Afghanistan and recovered total quantity of 71Kg (Gross) of raw precious stones from Toll Box, Driver Cabin and other parts of the truck.
Samples were sent to Gems and Jewelry Centre of Excellence, University of Engineering, Peshawar for analysis and determination of its actual quality.
The lab report confirmed that the detained stones are precious in nature namely Kunzite, Green Spodomen and Scapolite. The approximate value of the seized stones is Rs. 40 million. Value of Coal is Rs 1.0 million while value of vehicle is Rs5.0 million. Total value of the case is Rs. 411 million
Driver of the vehicle has been arrested and FIR registered. Further legal proceedings are underway in the subject case. It is worth mentioning that on the directions of Mr. Saeed Akram Chief Collector, KP the Customs staff has accelerated drive against the menace of smuggling in the province.
In an earlier, ordeal Customs Peshawar recovered large quantity of Indian medicine which were being smuggled into the country through Torkham border. The value of seized medicine is Rs2.0 million.