KARACHI: In accordance with the Federal Board of Revenue’s zero-tolerance policy against smuggling, the Enforcement Collectorate Karachi continues to play a proactive role in combating illicit trade.
In a major operation, Customs Enforcement officials at the Mochko Check Post seized a significant quantity of drugs, smuggled mobile phones, foreign cigarettes, and Indian gutka.
This crackdown was carried out under the supervision of Collector Customs Enforcement Karachi, Moinuddin Ahmed Wani, following a tip-off about smuggled goods being transported via passenger buses from Quetta, Balochistan.
Given the possibility of female passengers onboard, Assistant Collector Customs, Habsma Jatoi, was specifically assigned to oversee the inspection process at the check post.
Major Smuggling Bust at Mochko Check Post
On the previous day, enforcement officers stopped a passenger bus, registration number LES-522, arriving from Balochistan for a thorough search.
Upon extensive inspection, authorities uncovered:
8.5 kg of high-quality hashish concealed in a secret compartment beneath the driver’s seat.
130 smuggled mobile phones hidden inside a secret compartment at the bottom of the driver’s water cooler.
9,600 packets of foreign smuggled cigarettes and 8,200 sachets of Indian gutka, discreetly stashed in the extra wheel storage and toolboxes of the bus.
Seizure and Legal Proceedings
All recovered smuggled goods, including the bus used for transportation, have been taken into custody and officially seized by customs authorities.
The total value of confiscated items, including narcotics and electronic goods, amounts to Rs. 17.6 million.
The seized goods and vehicle have been transferred to the Anti-Smuggling Organization (ASO) warehouse for further processing.
Additionally, both the bus driver and owner have been booked under the Customs and Narcotics Act. A formal FIR has been registered, and the suspects have been arrested. Authorities are now seeking remand from the court for further investigation.
The Customs Enforcement Karachi remains committed to its mission of curbing illegal trade and ensuring compliance with Pakistan’s anti-smuggling regulations.