QUETTA: Collector Quetta Enforcement Umar Shafique has launched a major crackdown on smugglers, leading to the lodging of three FIRs against Aqib Ali, owner of Fortune Enterprises, M/s SJ Enterprises, and an Inspector of Customs Enforcement Quetta. They are accused of the illegal removal of vehicles from the NLC Terminal Taftan, which were carrying cashew nuts and almond without shells.
Acting on information received from Collector Umar Shafique, all relevant Field Enforcement Units (FEUs) were put on high alert to intercept the illegally removed cargo. The staff of FEU Nokundi and Dalbandin successfully intercepted the vehicles.
Upon questioning, the drivers revealed that Asif (Munshi), acting on behalf of the clearing agent, provided them with fake documents (forged GD) and directed them to transport the cargo to Quetta. The importer and clearing agent for the goods is M/s Fortune Enterprises, Lahore. Verification of the gate-pass issued at the NLC Terminal Taftan revealed it was issued by the gate staff, with no other legal import documents presented on the spot.
Investigation found that Mr. Malik Zain, an inspector posted at the Taftan Gates, was responsible for allowing the vehicles to pass with irrelevant GDs. Records obtained from PRAL indicated the involvement of the inspector, who also entered the information into the WeBOC system. The gate-out staff of the NLC terminal operator also issued gate-passes for the vehicles, corroborating their involvement with Mr. Malik Zain and other accused.
The roles of all persons involved in the smuggling operation, including the claimants of the seized items, handlers, facilitators, financiers, beneficiaries, and the owner of the seized goods, are under investigation.
This operation highlights the ongoing efforts of Collector Umar Shafique and his team to combat smuggling and enforce customs regulations in the region. The investigation will continue to uncover the full extent of the smuggling network and bring those involved to justice.
It may be mentioned here thee Quetta enforcement has seized smuggled goods worth more than Rs 4 billion in the month of Oct 2024.