KHUZDAR: The staff of Customs Khuzdar, under the guidance of Chief Collector Balochistan Mr. Abdul Qadir Memon and the directions of Collector Customs Khuzdar Mr. Saleem Memon, conducted a successful raid at a godown located at Hub and seized a huge quantity of betel nuts, betel nuts powder and kutch slab, along with three vehicles and five suspects, on Tuesday.
The raid was carried out by Deputy Collector Rana Umair, with the assistance of the police, after receiving credible information about the illegal storage and transportation of the contraband items.
The raiding team intercepted a Hino truck, a Honda Civic car, a Toyota Revo, a Toyota Fielder and a Mazda Titan truck, which were loaded with the smuggled goods.
The team recovered 8.5 tons of betel nuts, 3.1 tons of betel nuts powder and 8.5 tons of kutch slab from the vehicles and the godown.
The total worth of the seized items is estimated to be 90 million rupees. The team also arrested five individuals who were involved in abetting the crime.
An FIR has been lodged against the accused, and they have been remanded for three days by the judicial magistrate. The Customs authorities have initiated further investigation to trace the source and destination of the smuggled goods, and to nab the masterminds behind the racket.
The Chief Collector Balochistan and the Collector Customs Khuzdar have appreciated the efforts of the raiding team and have announced rewards and commendation certificates for them. They have also vowed to continue the crackdown against smuggling and tax evasion in the region.