Karachi: Pakistan Customs has lodged an FIR after intercepting a major smuggling attempt at Port Muhammad Bin Qasim, where millions of Tramadol tablets were found concealed in a consignment declared as ready-made garments.
According to the FIR, filed by Inspector Rana Muzaffer Iqbal, the consignment belonging to M/s Sadaf Enterprises was destined for Ghana and declared as garments weighing 6,485 kg with a value of Rs4.46 million. However, during physical examination at the QICT yard on March 16, officials discovered 140 cartons containing 6.72 million tablets of TramaKing 225 (Tramadol Hydrochloride 225 mg), weighing approximately 5,100 kg and valued at Rs170.4 million.
The tablets were skillfully concealed behind cartons of denim garments to mislead authorities. Customs officials also seized 56 cartons of used clothing.
The FIR names M. Hanif, proprietor of M/s Sadaf Enterprises, and Syed Zulqadar Ahmed, owner of M/s Oramco Agencies, as accused, along with others yet to be identified. The case involves violations of the Customs Act, 1969, Export Policy Order, and Drugs Act, 1976.
Officials said the operation was made possible through strict surveillance and vigilant monitoring. An important role was played by Additional Collector Zehra Tahir Naqvi and Deputy Collector Examination Iqra Shaukat, who supervised the examination process.
Efforts are now underway to arrest the accused and unearth the wider smuggling syndicate.