SIALKOT: The Customs Anti-Smuggling Organisation (ASO) Zone-II impounded a non-duty paid Pajero Jeep worth Rs 1.8 million during an action.
Reportedly, ASO Zone-II incharge Deputy Collector Muhammad Hanif Khan deputed Superintendent Muhammad Naeem Khan on Mandi Bahauddin and Hafizabad to keep an eye on smuggled vehicles.
The superintendent along with his team members, including Inspector Mansha, Constables Irfan Ali, Shafique, Luqman checked many vehicles on roads. The team intercepted a Pajero Jeep and asked driver named Kaleemullah to show documents regarding the legal import of the items.
The driver could not produce any documents regarding customs clearance of the vehicle. He said that owner of the vehicle was a politician. The team impounded Pajero Jeep and shifted it to the Customs House but released the driver after proper interrogation.
Superintendent Naeem told Customs Today that the impounded Pajero Jeep will be sent to laboratory for verification. After laboratory report, the case will be sent to the Customs Adjudication for further proceedings.
He said, “If the owner of Pajero Jeep shows the documents regarding the custom duty, the vehicle will be released after proper verification from customs department and Excise and Taxation department”.
If the court decided case in the favour of the Model Custom Collectorate, the vehicle will be auctioned in order to recover leviable duty/taxes.
He further added that the customs officials were working round the clock to capture the non-duty paid goods and vehicle being smuggled into or via Gujranwala division. The menace of smuggling was not only affecting the national economy of the country negatively but also disturbing local businesses.
