In a joint operation, Customs Khuzdar and FC Kalat Scouts Kuraro seized 141,000 liters of Iranian diesel and four tankers, and arrested several persons involved in smuggling on Wednesday.
The operation was based on information received by the authorities, who mounted surveillance on the road and detained the vehicles. The suspects failed to provide any legal documents to Pakistan Customs, and were taken into custody.
An FIR has been lodged for further investigation, according to Collector Khuzdar Saleem Memon and Additional Collector Sajid Baloch, who have been leading the anti-smuggling campaign in the region.
Customs Khuzdar covers four Field Enforcement Units (FEUs) and two Joint Check Posts (JCPs) in five districts of Kalat division. Despite the shortage of staff, equipment, and training, the collectorate has achieved more than 300% increase in value of seizures in every month compared to the average of the last 12 months.
An official from the collectorate stressed the need of new recruitment in the style of army across the board in Customs, and criticized the influx of new commissioned officers, which he said was harmful for the department and the jurisdiction of the existing officers.