KARACHI: The Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA) and Customs Intelligence-Karachi Region, in a joint operation in open sea, have seized a huge quantity of foreign origin smuggled bottles of whisky and beer.
The contraband and smuggled items were being brought through sea route to Karachi and the attempt was foiled through a timely and successful action.
According to details, the Directorate of Customs Intelligence was received an information that a huge quantity of whisky and beer bottles would be smuggled to Karachi by sea.
Reacting on the said information, the PMSA was deployed its officials along with the ship and speed boats at the sea route from where the smuggled consignment was brought to the city.
The security officials as per the information stopped a suspicious boat.
Later, the launch was escorted to Karachi Harbor for detail examination. During scrutiny, it was found that around 12,000 of foreign origin smuggled bottles of whisky and beer were recovered from the confiscated boat.
Director Customs Intelligence and Investigation-FBR Karachi Region Muhammad Asif Marghoob Siddiqui said that the value of confiscated contraband items is estimated at Rs 70 million.
He further said that the smuggled contraband items have been seized and legal proceeding under the Customs Act, 1969 for formal seizure was underway.
“Five accused have also been arrested and FIR against those arrested accused was also registered, adding that the challan in this regard would also be submitted before Special Judge Customs in next few days”, he added.
Director Customs Intelligence further asserted that the said coordinated operation with PMSA was conducted in line of Anti-smuggling Strategy evolved by Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) and under the instructions of Director General (DG) Customs Intelligence Lutfullah Virk.
Director Customs Intelligence further lauded the efforts of PMSA in order to foil the attempt of smuggling.
He also thanked PMSA Director General Rear Admiral Ather Mukhtar (S.I. Military), Deputy DG, Commodore Rehan Aziz and all other officials.
