KARACHI: The Pakistan Customs has made a history by seizing 21.7 metric tons of Acetic Anhydride supposed to be used in heroin powder or explosives.
Addressing a press conference on January 9, 2016 at NMB Wharf, Chief Collector Enforcement South of the Pakistan Customs Zahid Khokhar said the Port Control Unit of Customs Preventive seized 21.7 metric tons of Acetic Anhydride stuffed in a 20 feet container which had arrived from Tanzania. He said it is the biggest haul and the world record.
The container was declared to contain “Acetic Acid Glacial”, however, the Port Control Unit, upon receipt of an information, profiled and targeted the container which was actually imported in November, 2015 at Port Muhammad Bin Qasim from Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania and was subsequently shifted to NLC Container Terminal at Mai Kolachi Road, Karachi, the chief collector added.
“Apart from many other factors, the consignment was primarily suspected in view of the fact that traditionally Tanzania is not a producer of Acetic Acid. The consignee of the shipment was declared to be in Sialkot, however this aspect is being investigated”, he said.
This is by far the biggest quantity of Acetic Anhydride seized anywhere in the world including Pakistan. Acetic Anhydride is used as the major precursor for the production of heroin and it is also one of the major chemical used in the manufacturing of IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices).
It is, however, yet to be determined that what was the actual purpose of this sinister attempt. “The value of seized Acetic Anhydride is more than Rs 860 million”.
Speaking on the occasion, Collector Customs Preventive S Tariq Huda said that Pakistan Customs is the major participant of “UNODC-WCO Container Control Programme” and also a key partner of World Customs Organization’s “Programme Global Shield”.
The expertise and skills of trained officers have led to this land mark and record seizure which would, in turn, not only save the world from the menace of narcotics but also save Pakistan from the threats of Improvised Explosive Devices.
